SOPHIE CUNNINGHAM WAS THE FEVER’S MISSING PIECE

WRITTEN + EDITED BY JORDYN BONTRAGER

With such an influx of incredible talent, it is a bit difficult to decipher exactly which of Amber Cox’s offseason acquisitions was the most impressive in her inaugural campaign with the Indiana Fever.

DeWanna Bonner, the most playoff-tested player in WNBA history, is probably the biggest name of the bunch. Natasha Howard is another strong candidate given her track record of success on both ends of the floor. Sydney Colson brings a strong source of leadership off the pine, and Brianna Turner will inject a high motor bench big body capable of wreaking havoc defensively. That same sentiment rings true for incoming frosh Makayla Timpson, who showcased signs of future brilliance during the preseason.

But with all due respect to those ladies, Cox scratched arguably the team’s most glaring itch when she snagged Sophie Cunningham as part of the NaLyssa Smith exchange.

Again, no disrespect ensuing, but aside from Lex Factor the Fev Show was turning to Kristy Wallace x Katie Lou Samuelson (PRAYERS UP FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY!) x Grace Berger (WHOM SHOULD UNDENIABLY BE ON A WNBA ROSTER RIGHT NOW) for minutes at small forward last year. Each of them had their moments, but it was highly evident that this roster needed a wing refresh in a bad way.

Not only is Cunningham a more lethal shooting threat than her aforementioned ancestral wing trifecta, she is much more versatile (can guard 1-4) and brings a bolder manner of moxy whenever she is on the court. She exuded her longstanding level of fearlessness right from the jump in the preseason, and is the type of player who will always be right there standing up for her comrades in the mix of a good old fashioned scuffle. She is the type of soldier you want by your side on the battlefield and in the trenches.

Sadly, Stephanie White will not have Cunningham’s feisty 3&D services at her disposal today in the Fever’s regular season opener at home versus Chicago as she recovers from an ankle ailment. Thankfully, it is only a matter of time before we will see the Missouri product’s full impact on display in Indianapolis.

Keep going, Sophie!