Caitlin Clark’s New Teammate Fires Warning Shot to WNBA

The Indiana Fever is gearing up for the 2025 WNBA season in a few month’s time, and the spotlight remains on superstar Caitlin Clark.

She will be starting her second season in the professional league. The 2024 Rookie of the Year winner helped bring a fresh spotlight on the league in her debut year.

Now, she has a new ally in her corner — veteran guard Sophie Cunningham — who wasted no time in firing a warning shot to the rest of the league. As part of a busy offseason for the Fever, the team’s newest acquisition came as part of a four-team trade which added even more shooting power to an already impressive roster.

During her introductory press conference to the media on March 11th, Cunningham didn’t mince her words: “[Clark] has changed our game in the best possible way,” she said. “Anything she needs from me, I’m gonna be there. I stick up for my teammates, I stick up for myself.”

Clark faced physicality and scrutiny in her rookie season, often with minimal back-up on the court.

Cunningham is a seven-year veteran sharpshooter with a well-known gritty edge to her game. The Fever also acquired the No. 19 pick from Phoenix. Jaelyn Brown from the Dallas Wings and a 2027 third-round pick swap also were acquired. Cunningham spent her entire professional career with Phoenix, averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game as a part-time starter last season. She was drafted No. 13 overall out of Missouri in the 2019 WNBA draft.

As for Brown, despite missing most of last season through injury, she notched a 48.4 FG percentage and a 50% average from beyond the arc over 14 appearances.

“I think that’s just the competitor I am — I’m fierce, I’m sassy… Sometimes, I think it’s okay to be feisty and be yourself,” Cunningham said. She also took the time to credit legend Diana Taurasi, saying, “Diana took me under her wing, and I’ve learned a lot from her. Now, I hope to do the same for Caitlin if she wants it.”

Clark’s rookie year had some jaw-dropping numbers, averaging 19.2 points and a league-leading 8.4 assists on her way to the Rookie of the Year award.

The Fever made their first WNBA playoff appearance since 2016, finishing the regular season with a 20-20 record and securing the No. 6 seed. They were eliminated by No. 3 Connecticut Sun in the first round of the playoffs, who swept them in two games.

Now, with a revitalized roster, the Fever will be more talented and a bit tougher on the court, too.