Sophie Cunningham has been making nationwide headlines night in and night out for aspects of her life that have little to do with her play on the WNBA hardwood.
When she’s not the focal point of discourse surrounding the league’s transgender eligibility rules, she’s the Indiana Fever’s offensive spark plug off the bench.
Her efficiency has led the Fever to campaign for her to win 2026 Sixth Player of the Year, triggering a mixed bag of reactions from the WNBA world.
WNBA World Can’t Agree on Sophie Cunningham’s Sixth Player of the Year Case
Cunningham is averaging 8.4 points per game on a career-high 47.6% shooting from the field and 44.1% shooting from 3-point range. Her 3-point percentage ranks third in the league.
Sophie Cunningham for 6th Player of the Year 😮💨
she has been averaging 8.4 PPG, 47.6 FG% (career high) & 44.1 3P% (no. 3 in the WNBA & career high) this season. pic.twitter.com/83IPeihXXv
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 28, 2026
Making Cunningham’s case for 6POY, the Fever shared her stats on X, with a follow-up post stating, “She gives us the juice when she comes in off the bench.”
“She gives us the juice when she comes in off the bench.” 🧃
Sophie Cunningham for 6th Player of the Year 🔥 pic.twitter.com/sPmVRpQuNe
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) August 28, 2026
With her stats solid for a bench player, a segment of fans rejoiced at Indiana pushing her for the honor.
“Sophie deserves. She has carried a lot of minutes and has been injury-free after surgery in [the] offseason,” a fan account rooting for the Fever wrote.
The same user broke down why Cunningham would be the right choice, saying, “I totally approve. Totally reliable to cover at the 3 or 4. She can shoot the ball and play defense. Plus she is a leader in the court.”
I totally approve. Totally reliable to cover at the 3 or 4. She can shoot the ball and play defense. Plus she is a leader in the court. https://t.co/ho8uI45MfB
— CCFC-New season (@sohali2012) August 28, 2026
Another account bluntly said, “She absolutely should be, but nobody will have the guts to admit it.”
On the flip side, another set of fans was completely against the mere notion of Cunningham winning the award.
“Yea, that team is very unserious,” one detractor said, following the caption up with numerous laughing emojis.
Yea that team is very unserious 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 https://t.co/mkflgyb1Zl
— Livz 🤎 (@in_livvy_color) August 28, 2026
CC Report was a bit more forgiving, noting, “Any other year she would be pretty much a lock for this. But unfortunately this year Janelle Salaün exists.”
“If u delete this, we will pretend this never happened,” another X user quipped.
One user echoed CC Report’s sentiment, adding, “Janelle Salaün is going to win 6th Player of the Year. Sophie Cunningham isn’t on her level.”
Janelle Salaun is going to win 6th Player of the Year. Sophie Cunningham isn’t on her level. https://t.co/hIzpcgoM1D
— Sha Hartley (@shahartley) August 28, 2026
Salaün is indeed the current favorite to win the award. After starting in 33 of the Golden State Valkyries’ 36 games she appeared in last season, she’s come off the bench every single game this year. The 24-year-old is averaging 12.9 points on 42.5/39.7/81.2 shooting splits in just 22.3 minutes per night through 38 outings.
Cunningham thrives in a system that allows her to space the floor and drain catch-and-shoot 3s. Salaün has more dimensions to her game, as she’s able to create her own shots against opposing bench units while maintaining her ground on the defensive end.
While Cunningham’s defense certainly isn’t shabby, Salaün’s Valkyries are also the second seed with a 28-11 record, while Indiana is the fifth seed at 25-14. Team record does not matter as much for the 6POY award as it does for MVP, but in moments of confusion about who to pick, it certainly helps.
