Sophie Cunningham’s view on Caitlin Clark spoke volumes long before becoming her ‘bodyguard’
Sophie Cunningham has embraced her ‘bodyguard’ role with the Indiana Fever, having defended Caitlin Clark on multiple occasions
Sophie Cunningham had been a fan of Caitlin Clark long before teaming up with the Indiana Fever star(Image: 2025 Daniel Bartel)
In the NHL, there’s an informal badge of “enforcer” slapped onto a player known for confronting rough or unsportsmanlike conduct by rivals against his teammates.
Though basketball lacks this defined role, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is carving out a similar niche. Picked up in a trade from the Phoenix Mercury, she was already a sturdy scorer and defender. Cunningham’s addition to Indiana, partnering with Caitlin Clark, has rocketed her popularity as personal defense took on a literal meaning when her retaliation went viral last week.
Article continues below
Clark often finds herself on the receiving end of aggressive fouls, inciting speculation about her standing among fellow players. Facing the Connecticut Sun, Cunningham wasn’t having it. She fiercely knocked Jacy Sheldon to the court after Sheldon fouled Clark, sparking a tussle.
The WNBA slapped Cunningham with two fines, while some fans even clamored for her banishment from the court. Yet there are cheers too, like Las Vegas Aces coach Becky Hammon appreciating Cunningham’s pluckiness.
Unfazed, Cunningham has shouldered the “bodyguard” moniker from social media, all while continuing to champion Clark — an allegiance pre-dating her move to Fever.
Last October, prior to being traded to the Fever, Cunningham appeared on the ‘Travis Hearn’ podcast, where she praised Clark, saying: “I think that she’s a gem.
“I didn’t know her, but All-Star Weekend we kind of bantered back and forth a little bit. And she’s lovely. She has a lot of pressure on her shoulders.
Cunningham’s foul on Jacy Sheldon, who clashed with Clark on several occasions during the game, sparked a huge brawl at the end of the Fever’s matchup with the Connecticut Sun(Image: Photo by Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“I think a lot of people always have a lot to say with people they don’t even know or shoes they’ve never been in. And for me, I think she’s handling the pressure very well.”
Cunningham added: “I think she’s doing a lot of great things for women’s basketball, and I’m a fan. Like I would love to play with her one day, for real.
“Caitlin Clark’s been killing it. I’m a huge fan, and I never say that. But I think it’s fun what she’s doing.”
Cunningham has primarily come off the bench, backing up Clark, but has stepped up as a key substitute when Clark was unavailable.
Article continues below
The 28-year-old spent six years with the Mercury before being traded in a four-team deal prior to the season, as the Fever aims to build their team around Clark.
