Sophie Cunningham on Caitlin Clark: 'She's been killing it and I'm a huge fan'

Sophie Cunningham has seen a bit during her time in the WNBA, but she’s a huge fan of Caitlin Clark and the rookie class.

The former Missouri standout just helped the Phoenix Mercury clinch a playoff berth Tuesday night. It was the same night Clark led the Indiana Fever to a playoff spot as well.

CLICK HERE to go to PrizePicks and use code ON3 to receive a guaranteed $50 once you play $5 in lineups!

So with that, Cunningham doesn’t want to hear any negativity surrounding Clark and the rookies based on the attention they’ve brought to the league.

“I think it’s so positive,” Cunningham told On3. “I really do. I think it’s a fun time to be a part of the W. I truly believe that. I think the skill and the talent has always been there, but now it’s just the viewership. And so I give a big ole clap to the rookie class. I think that’s a lot to deal with when you’re at that age and you have that many eyes on you, but I think they’ve done a great job in the league as well. 

“I think the physicality and all that they’re going to get used to, but I think especially Caitlin Clark, she’s been killing it, and I’m a huge fan, and I never say that. But I think it’s fun what she’s doing when it comes to viewership. (And) I think a lot of people have a lot to learn about our league, but I think that’s a really fun thing. And if you have really anything negative to say about all the viewership and everything that this rookie class is doing, I just think that you’re not capitalizing on it, and you might be a little jealous. So for me, I’m all for it. I’m about it.”

Cunningham spoke with On3 on behalf of her partnership with Quest Nutrition and the new Quest Bake Shop.

In addition to Clark leading Indiana from the No. 1 overall pick to the playoffs as a rookie, she set the single-season scoring record for the franchise.

Clark hit a three-pointer on Sunday in the second quarter against the Dallas Wings to tie the game at 37 and give her eight points to that point. With that, though, she also set the team’s new record for points in a debut season with a total of 595 points and counting.

Tamika Catchings held the previous record from back in 2002. She scored 594 points for an average of 18.6 ppg.. That earned her Rookie of the Year while also getting recognition as First-Team All-WNBA and finishing in third in voting for the MVP.

Perhaps Cunningham and the Mercury will do battle with Clark and the Fever in the playoffs. But for now, it’s all love between the two women as the WNBA continues to rise in popularity.