'I Am Not the Enforcer,' Sophie Cunningham Discusses Reputation As Caitlin Clark's 'Bodyguard'

Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham doesn't view herself as teammate Caitlin Clark's enforcer.

"I am not the enforcer," Cunningham told ESPN's Hallie Grossman. "I am not a bodyguard. I am just going to do whatever the team needs. And if my teammates need me to stick up for them, I will do that."

Last season, Cunningham and Jacy Sheldon were involved in an altercation during a meeting between the Fever and Connecticut Sun after Sheldon accidentally poked Clark in the eye in the third quarter.

Cunningham discussed Clark's reaction to the incident.

"She walked in and was like, 'About time,'" Cunningham told Grossman.

Still, the 29-year-old explained to Grossman that she's willing to stand up for any of her teammates, including "someone who barely gets in."

"It just happened to be Caitlin," Cunningham said.

Although Cunningham has come off the bench in 22 of her 25 appearances this year, she doesn't mind operating in a reduced role compared to past seasons.

"You have to be selfish a little bit, you need to shoot," Cunningham said, via Grossman. "But you also have to sacrifice a lot, too. You have to make sure the people who need the ball have it. Do whatever the team needs and be a great teammate. That's what I've always wanted to be. And that's what the middle ground is really about."

She also admitted that she doesn't mind her reputation, telling Grossman that "you gotta have a little s--t to you."

"People love me or they really frickin' hate me," Cunningham said. "I just don't care."

She's helped the Fever put together a successful 2026 campaign, currently sitting at 16-10 while they look to clinch a third consecutive playoff berth.