Sophie Cunningham earns surprising WNBA award recognition amid career-best Fever season originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Sophie Cunningham may not start for the Indiana Fever, but her impact has become increasingly difficult to overlook. Cunningham was named the runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year in The Ringer's 2026 WNBA midseason awards, trailing only Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun. The recognition came as part of a league-wide awards breakdown published by Seerat Sohi on Monday.
The main article from The Ringer praised Cunningham for the energy, shooting and defensive versatility she has brought to Indiana's second unit. It also raised an intriguing possibility for the second half of the season: Cunningham may be playing well enough to force her way into the Fever's starting lineup.
"If Tyasha Harris continues to emerge as a floor general who can lead the second unit, I would not be shocked if Cunningham eventually started," Sohi wrote.
That would be a significant development for a Fever team with championship expectations.
#season
Sophie Cunningham may not start for the Indiana Fever, but her impact has become increasingly difficult to overlook. Cunningham was named the runner-up for Sixth Player of the Year in The Ringer's 2026 WNBA midseason awards, trailing only Golden State Valkyries forward Janelle Salaun. The recognition came as part of a league-wide awards breakdown published by Seerat Sohi on Monday.
The main article from The Ringer praised Cunningham for the energy, shooting and defensive versatility she has brought to Indiana's second unit. It also raised an intriguing possibility for the second half of the season: Cunningham may be playing well enough to force her way into the Fever's starting lineup.
"If Tyasha Harris continues to emerge as a floor general who can lead the second unit, I would not be shocked if Cunningham eventually started," Sohi wrote.
That would be a significant development for a Fever team with championship expectations.
#season
3 months ago
