Sophie Cunningham on Caitlin Clark's immense popularity: "The whole world is watching her. It is a cult following" originally appeared on Basketball Network .
The WNBA has been dealing with a massive boom in popularity over the past few years, and among all the stars fueling this surge, one name stands tallest: Caitlin Clark .
Ever since the former Iowa Hawkeye captivated audiences at the NCAA level, her fame has only grown exponentially. Even though there have been murmurs about some players feeling envious of the unprecedented attention she's received, Sophie Cunningham , the recent addition to the Indiana Fever , has made it clear that within the locker room, there's nothing but admiration for what Clark brings to the game.
And coming from a seven-year veteran who has seen the evolution of the league firsthand, that endorsement carries a lot of weight.
If there's been one thing Cunningham has made clear since arriving in Indiana, it's that she has Clark's back. The fiery guard-forward has quickly stepped into the role of protector, standing up for the superstar in various on-court scuffles and letting it be known that the Fever's franchise player isn't going to be pushed around all that easily, not without a proper fight back at least.
But beyond the elbows and hard screens, there's also deep respect for what Clark represents. Cunningham understands that being alongside such a phenomenon isn't just about sharing the spotlight; it's about embracing this one-of-a-kind moment, leaning into the chaos and helping her teammate navigate the levels of attention, from both the media and the fellow players, that come with being the face of the whole sport.
"Not even just the league (WNBA), but women's basketball as a whole around the world," Cunningham said about her teammate's impact on the game.
"I think it's awesome, I think it's so funny that she is 22, 23 years old, and the whole world is watching her. It is a cult following… Anywhere you go. It is a home game wherever we play. She's got security with her 24/7, people are outrageous. Think about the most famous person that you've ever met, times it by 10 or 20," she added.
That kind of following, in Cunningham's eyes, doesn't just elevate Clark, but it elevates everyone in the league.
Clark's unprecedented stardom comes at a pivotal moment for the WNBA. The league just wrapped up an All-Star Weekend that showcased not only its talent but also the growing demands for better pay, improved conditions and wider recognition. The league and the players are now in full-steam-ahead mode for their place in sports.
As for Clark, her absence has been felt. Currently dealing with a groin injury that has kept her out for a big chunk of the season, the 23-year-old phenom has played in just 13 games and missed 15.
The Fever are 15–12, sitting in the middle of the pack as they wait for their superstar to get back on the floor. The team will be extra careful in pushing for her return, considering the long-term importance of Clark's. But make no mistake, the moment CC returns, the buzz will be louder than ever. Because, as Cunningham said, this isn't just about one player. It's about an entire sport riding the wave of a once-in-a-generation phenomenon.
This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
