Mizzou legend Sophie Cunningham, drafted 13th overall in 2019, has earned a reputation as one of the most physical players in the WNBA.
In a recent interview with SLAM Magazine, Cunningham addressed whether Caitlin Clark is receiving an excessive number of dirty fouls. With her physical style of play and years of experience, Cunningham is well-positioned to comment on the perception that Clark is being unfairly targeted by WNBA veterans due to the immense attention she garners.
“I think that there are a lot of new eyes, but with that, there’s a lot of people who are uneducated about our league,” Cunningham explained to SLAM. She highlighted the unprecedented attendance and viewership the WNBA is experiencing, thanks to emerging stars like Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark.
Addressing Clark specifically, Cunningham said, “You see a lot of people in the public eye on the men’s side kind of having Caitlin Clark’s back, too, which is kind of surprising just because they know how physical our game has always been. But when I tell you that the narrative that we’re all against Caitlin or the vets against the rookies needs to be squashed because it’s not like that. I promise you, it’s not like that.”
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Cunningham shared her own experiences to emphasize the league’s physical nature: “I’ve had my jaw broken, I’ve broken a finger, I’ve broken my nose. Everyone has stories of how physical this league really is, and I think that is the main jump that people don’t understand.”
Regarding Clark’s future, Cunningham expressed confidence in her potential: “Her skill level will come, everything else will come; the rookies in general. But it’s the physicality that people really have to get used to. And so for me, I don’t think anyone’s being targeted.”
Cunningham added, “If anything, I think we need to give her a little bit of grace sometimes because she has a lot on her plate and a lot of eyes on her. But with that, I think this is gonna be really good for her. She’s gonna be great. I think the rookie class is gonna be phenomenal for our league once they get that physicality thing kind of worked out. It takes a little bit of time, but they’re gonna be just fine.”
Cunningham’s insights, as a veteran player, carry significant weight.
She highlighted that Clark isn’t necessarily receiving the typical rookie treatment but is experiencing the challenges that come with being a high-profile player in a demanding league. There’s no denying that Clark has faced some tough fouls, as footage has shown, but as the WNBA continues to grow and adapt to its increasing popularity, the treatment of star players like Clark should balance out.
Overall, Cunningham’s comments suggest that while the WNBA’s physicality is a hurdle for any new player, it is not indicative of any deliberate targeting of Caitlin Clark. Instead, it’s part of the natural adjustment process for rookies in a highly competitive league.
