Sophie Cunningham Pulls No Punches: Caitlin Clark Is Targeted Because She’s the Face of the League and That’s Just How It Is

Sophie Cunningham isn’t one to sugarcoat things—and in a recent sit-down interview, she proved it once again. Speaking candidly with Wes Wilson from Summerhouse, the Indiana Fever star opened up about one of the WNBA’s most talked-about controversies: the way players have been targeting rookie sensation Caitlin Clark.

“You’ve seen it,” Sophie began without hesitation. “You’ve seen players in our league try to toughen up Caitlin.” Her tone was honest, matter-of-fact, and unfiltered—something fans have come to appreciate from Cunningham. She even admitted that back when she wasn’t on Clark’s team, the plan was pretty clear. “I know the talks that Phoenix had in the locker room,” she said. “We were going to prove her. Show her what the W really is.”

It was a rare moment of transparency, confirming what fans and analysts have long suspected but rarely hear confirmed from players themselves: Caitlin Clark, whether intentionally or not, is facing extra heat simply because of who she is.

And Sophie made no apologies for it. “She’s the face of the league. Everyone knows it. Sorry, not sorry.”

Those six words—delivered with a smirk and a shrug—set social media ablaze. In a league that’s constantly navigating questions about growth, identity, and star power, Sophie’s acknowledgment wasn’t just refreshing. It was bold. She wasn’t speaking in hypotheticals or clichés. She was naming names, revealing locker room talk, and lifting the veil on a league in transition.

But Cunningham didn’t stop there. She offered a more personal, unexpected side of Caitlin that most fans never get to see. “She’s just goofy,” Sophie said, laughing. “People expect her to be this intense competitor 24/7—and she is on the court—but off the court? She’s literally just a kid. She’s 23, lives in sweats and sweatshirts, doesn’t care about the extra stuff. She just wants to hoop.”

That simple breakdown struck a chord. Clark, who has been under a relentless spotlight since before she even stepped foot in a WNBA arena, is often painted as a symbol—of change, of controversy, of attention. But Sophie reminded everyone that beneath the pressure and expectations is a young woman still finding her rhythm, still making sense of her world, and still just trying to play the game she loves.

The interview wasn’t all heavy, though. In true Sophie fashion, things quickly veered off track in the most entertaining way. From joking about WNBA brawls to diving into wild Bravo TV drama and even discussing Arby’s cravings mid-sentence, Sophie kept it real. At one point, she playfully roasted her hometown’s obsession with barn parties, leaving Wes in stitches.

It was the kind of conversation that made fans feel like they were sitting in the room—laughing, gasping, nodding along. It stripped away the formality of press conferences and post-game interviews and gave a glimpse of two people simply talking. Candidly. Honestly. Like we all wish more public figures would.

And that’s why Sophie Cunningham continues to be one of the WNBA’s most magnetic voices. She says what others won’t. She laughs through the hard stuff. She brings humanity to a league that’s still fighting for mainstream recognition.

But most importantly, she gave Caitlin Clark the credit—and the reality—she deserves. Clark is the face of the league, and with that comes both the spotlight and the target. It’s not fair. It’s not always pretty. But it’s the truth.

And Sophie? She’s not afraid to say it.