By the time Caitlin Clark joined the Indiana Fever, she was very well-known as top NCAA player, first in the draft, and a new face of women’s basketball. Yet, Clark did not expect to see another co-star shining with her, and that is her new teammate, Sophie Cunningham.
The new rookie star of the WNBA shines by herself, not only by scoring, but by stepping up when the team needs her, which is during the toughest moments, the ones that really counts.
The game that changed it all
On June 17, 2025, the Indiana Fever met the Connecticut Sun in what was to be just another game in the calendar. But it turned into a rough, high-stress fight that set Cunningham’s place in the team and made more WNBA fans get to know her.
It started when Sun guard Jacy Sheldon hit Clark in the eye. The Indiana Fever star, upset, pushed Sheldon, causing a wild moment that had Marina Mabrey of the Sun pushing Clark down.
The refs gave many fouls in a try to calm things down, but it made fans and players wonder if Clark was safe on the court.
Welcome Sophie Cunningham.
The ‘Enforcer’ era begins
During the last minutes of the game, when the Fever were way ahead, Sheldon took the ball and ran towards the basket. Cunningham, guarding her, grabbed Sheldon around the neck and pulled her down-a move that led to more fights.
Players from both teams got involved, and the altercation moved close to where fans were sitting. Cunningham, Sheldon, and another Sun guard, Lindsay Allen, got thrown out.
While some said the foul was too much, others saw it as a strong show of support. Cunningham, new to the Fever after coming from the Phoenix Mercury, made it clear: she was there for Caitlin Clark.
Clark showed gratitude… and surprise
Reports say Clark was surprised by how fast people liked Cunningham after what happened. While Clark has often been the main talk, both good and bad, she has not had a teammate defend her so boldly.
Fever fans yelled “Sophie! Sophie!” during the game, and online, people called her “The Enforcer“, a name that stuck right away.
Clark later said Cunningham’s act was “unexpected but deeply valued,” noting it’s rare to have a teammate risk so much to stand up for another.
A quick fan’s favourite
Cunningham’s fame is not just about one act. Known for her tough play back in her Missouri college days, she has found a new role in Indiana, not just as a player, but as a sign of team strength and unity.
Her ejection even caught UFC writer Ariel Helwani’s eye, who joked her move was like MMA great Anderson Silva, in a funny remark that added to her growing fame.
The Fever’s win over the Sun wasn’t just a victory on the scoreboard, it turned out to be a statement of identity. With Clark leading the offense and Cunningham anchoring the team’s emotional core, Indiana is shaping up to be more than just a young, talented squad. They’re becoming a cohesive, battle-tested unit.
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