Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham opened up about her 2026 WNBA season for the first time during a film session on her new podcast No Hesitation, alongside co-host and trainer Drew Hanlen. Cunningham, 28, described the conference a “pit” and focused on ways she is going to expand her game offensively into the 2027 season (and free agency).
She averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 boards and 1.2 assists in 43 regular season games averaging 22.2 minutes per game. She shot 46.0% from the field and 41.9% from the three point line and has continued to be a consistent perimeter threat off the bench. (Some reports had her career-bests marginally higher and more similar to her 2025 splits, though official 2026 numbers from leading statistical sources are as listed above.)
On the podcast, she said she “not happy with where I’m at”, and she wants to added “so much more in my tank, and so much more I want to explore.”
Hanlen points to her catch-and-shoot ability, knocking down 65 of 151 (65 of 151=44 percent) at the time, as a strength that has to stay front and center. He said she had good efficiency when well-guarded and when open.
Off-ball action is the biggest area for improvement. Hanlen said he’s like for their players to bring back more pin-down screens, relocate around the perimeter and come off screens off the ball to generate more scoring opportunities than just catch-and-shoot looks.
Cunningham concedes she’s been self-limiting on this end and needs to get back to doing that, recalling her time at Missouri when she was adept at that movement. “That will open up more space for other players such as Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, all of our players,” she said.
The finalists also talked about intensity and physicality on defense, with both noting how much they value forcing players to move the ball instead of sitting back in defenders.
Cunningham begins the offseason as an unrestricted free agent after her one-year contract, and on-basketball ideas in the film session were the No. 2 pick’s best hope for increasing her value this season to Indiana or another team in 2027.
The fans have seen it, too, and some believe with continued offseason work she can evolve into more of a contributor or even a starter. Improving on shot only during catch-and-shoot situations to include her off movement would be beneficial to a high-powered Fever offense.
