"I cried a little" - Fever's Sophie Cunningham gets emotional after Hall of Fame nod from Missouri college

New Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham was emotional upon learning that she was heading to the University of Missouri Athletic Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility.

The six-year WNBA veteran was surprised by the school and her collegiate coach Kellie Harper in a video call as news of her induction was relayed to her.

Cunningham shared her immediate thoughts on the honor to be bestowed on her on X (formerly Twitter), while recalling the years she represented the Tigers.

She wrote on her post.

"I think I cried a little 💛 truly honored and full of gratitude and love for @Mizzou! We had a hell of a team and A TIME WAS HAD during those years but nothing beats the memories and relationships those four years gave. We had COMO popping and all I can do now is smile!"

In her four years in Missouri, Sophie Cunningham had solid all-around career averages of 17 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal in 129 games. Along the way, she earned All-American and First Team All-SEC nods.

She was selected in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft (13th overall) by the Phoenix Mercury, where she steadily made her way to a starting role through the course of six seasons, averaging 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 182 games.

Sophie Cunningham begins new journey with the Indiana Fever

This offseason, Sophie Cunningham saw her leave the Phoenix Mercury for the Indiana Fever as part of a four-team deal that also involved the Dallas Wings and Connecticut Sun.

In Indiana, she is tasked to provide experience and toughness on both ends of the court to a team looking to take the significant strides it made last year to an even higher level in the next WNBA season.

Sophie Cunningham is part of an impressive collection of recruits the Fever had in the offseason, who include veterans DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Brianna Turner and Sydney Colson as well as rookies Makayla Timpson and Bree Hall.

They are to join Indiana's resident "Big 3" of Cailtin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston.

"To be honest, when you have a group that can let go of the egos and come here to win and work hard, I think that's the best type of group. When you're all willing to do the dirty work, that's what I'm most excited about..." Cunningham said of the team she is now going into battle with.

The Fever finished last season with an even 20-20 record, making the postseason for the first time after eight years. They also experienced renewed interest from old and new fans, proving to be a huge draw for the league both in terms of gate receipts and TV viewership.

Indiana begins its 2025 WNBA campaign at home on May 17 against the Chicago Sky.