Sophie Cunningham talks about her ‘feisty’ style and her WNBA rookie class

The Mercury released a video of her performance at the time and called her a “hot new bombshell,” a reference to “Love Island,” a reality show on Netflix.

“(Paula) thought I looked really cute,” Cunningham said.

“It's been really fun because now (my family) wears all the outfits. And believe me, my family always says, 'Oh God,' what is Sophie going to wear today? It's like a running joke.”

Cunningham said it was “actually hilarious” because her outfits weren't always planned.

“For me, it's really a spontaneous thing. If I feel like being casual and exercising, I go that route. If I feel like I want to be a little bit feisty and turn some heads and be a girl (I go that route),” she said.

Cunningham honored the late Lakers legend Kobe Bryant by wearing a tunic dress with his photo on it before a win against the Dream on Sept. 3.

She also paid tribute to teammate and WNBA legend Diana Taurasi – in her 20th season – who could have played her final home game on Thursday when Phoenix defeated Seattle to conclude its regular season.

The Mercury have honored Tauarasi throughout the season with their “If this is it” social media campaign.

Cunningham, a 6-foot-1 Adidas athlete, is indifferent to the negative comments online, including comments that she reveals too much.

“Hey, I'm not going to look like this often or for very long, so I might as well use it while I can!” she said, laughing.

“(The women of the league) are starting to get a little upset about what we're wearing, and people are turning heads, and it's gotten a lot of attention.”

Cunningham, a six-year WNBA veteran, is taking full advantage of the increased spotlight on the league after this year's rookie class – led by star rookies Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Cameron Brink – contributed to increased viewership, revenue and attendance.

In 2024, the WNBA experienced its most-watched season in the 26 years since its inception – and the league committed $50 million over the next two years to provide its teams with full-time charter flight service.

“Honestly, I think it's a very positive thing. It's so good for our league,” Cunningham said of the increased attention. “It's so exciting to be part of the W(NBA).”

“I think there are so many new eyes, and with that, there are a lot of people who maybe don't know what they're talking about. They have a lot to say… But I don't hate them. I think that rookie class has pushed the W so much in the right direction and I'm so grateful. Because then you get to work with brands like Quest who are also really great people who want you to succeed, and that's opened the doors to so much for me. Any press is good press for the W. And I think once people start seeing it, they fall in love with it. The players have always been there (and) the skills have always been there.”

Cunningham, who has 242,000 followers on Instagram and more than 130,000 followers on TikTok, posts fashion photos and basketball content as well as fun videos featuring herself and her Mercury teammates.

“I don't take social media too seriously. I just think it's a fun place,” she said. “Yes, it's fun. But it can be really negative and profound. I've chosen to live on the other side.”

“I hope that when people come to my platforms, they just smile and feel positive. I want to be vulnerable and authentic, and that's what I'm about. I say, 'Yes! Bring on all the new eyes.'”

“Why shouldn't we move forward? Everyone should move forward and be grateful for the attention we're getting. I really believe this is the beginning. We're at the tip of the iceberg and this thing is about to take off and I'm just excited to be a part of it.”

On September 14, the Mercury announced that they had signed Cunningham to a contract extension through the 2025 season.

She has been a solid 3-point shooter and defender for Phoenix since the Mercury selected her 13th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft after a standout career at the University of Missouri.

The No. 7 seed Phoenix Mercury lost 102-95 to the No. 2 seed Minnesota Lynx on Sunday in the first game of their best-of-three series in the first round of the 2024 WNBA playoffs.

Cunningham had eight points and four rebounds.

“These teams at the top (of the standings) have been together for two or three years. They have their chemistry, they have their rhythm (and) they know how the others move,” Cunningham said.

“We have so many new people. Me, Diana and BG (Brittney Griner) are still here from last year. We have a whole bunch of new faces. I think we've only played 33 games together. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a lot.

“I think the most important thing is that we really care about each other and love each other off the field. And we've shown this season that when we're really good, nobody can beat us.”

Cunningham played 36 regular season games this season (17 starts), averaging 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.1 steals.

In 21 games this season, she has made 40.0 percent or better three-pointers, second most in the league. Cunningham ranks fourth in franchise history in three-pointers made (245) and recently moved up to ninth in points (1,368).

Game 2 is Wednesday night in Minnesota at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.