Sophie Cunningham had the rare chance to suit up alongside Diana Taurasi—long considered the greatest ever to play—in the Phoenix Mercury. Though they’ve gone separate ways since the offseason, Cunningham didn’t hold back in showing love to the WNBA icon following her retirement, closing the curtain on a legendary 20-year run.
On Monday, Taurasi, in her Instagram post, reflected on her pro journey and the people she met on the way–from the Mercury crew, to her family and her children. She also has an upcoming documentary later this year, providing fans, from WNBA players like Cunningham, to the common folk, a glimpse into her life on and off the court.
“Retirement reminded me: it was never just about basketball. It was about the people, those who I had the privilege to compete with. Every step of the journey was built on shared belief, sacrifice, and love. This week, my story, our story, comes to life in a new way,” Taurasi wrote.
“The documentary drops, and I can’t wait for you to see the moments behind the moments. This carousel is just a glimpse. The full story is one of community, legacy, and what it means to show up for each other.”
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Sophie Cunningham, along with a few basketball figures, made sure Taurasi got her flowers. She kept it simple but heartfelt, posting “the BEST” along with a heart emoji, tributing Taurasi’s two-decade career.
Drafted 13th overall by Phoenix in 2019, the former Missouri Tiger spent six seasons playing with Taurasi, enough for her to be shaped by what it meant to play in the WNBA. Even as Cunningham left for the Indiana Fever, her energy and loyalty for her teammates made her well-known.
And fans knew how Sophie Cunningham rose to popularity. On June 19, Cunningham had a fierce brawl with the Connecticut Sun’s Jacy Sheldon after an earlier fight with Caitlin Clark, dubbing her the “enforcer.”
Sophie Cunningham sees shades of Taurasi in her star teammate
At an April practice with the Indiana Fever, Sophie Cunningham shared how her time with Diana Taurasi shaped her approach to playing alongside sophomore sensation Caitlin Clark. With the team still building chemistry, Cunningham said Taurasi taught her to always expect the unexpected—especially sharp, fast passes that demand constant awareness.
Sophie Cunningham sees similar traits in Clark. “You have to be ready for the ball, head on a swivel,” she said. Comparing Clark’s style to Taurasi’s, she added, “I think this is just the younger version of her.” For a revamped Fever roster, that connection could be a game-changer.
#IndianaFever’s Sophie Cunningham on how playing with Diana Taurasi prepared her for Caitlin Clark:
“You play with the GOAT of our game, you’re gonna learn a lot. … The way that (CC) throws the ball is a lot how DT threw it. I think this is just the younger version of her …” pic.twitter.com/r86AJuzBca
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) April 29, 2025
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
