Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham is proving she's more than just a basketball star. The WNBA standout has been turning heads with her recent cowgirl-inspired looks and country music performances, showing fans a different side of her personality.
Just days after teammate Caitlin Clark faced backlash for attending a Morgan Wallen concert following a loss, Cunningham took to social media to belt out Garth Brooks classics. The video quickly went viral, with fans praising her singing skills and down-to-earth vibe.
"She seems to be pretty freakin awesome," one social media user wrote. Another fan commented, "Sophie can have a second career singing."
But Cunningham's off-court moment isn't limited to music. She was recently featured in the 2026 issue of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, where she posed for her rookie photo shoot in Fort Myers. The experience left her feeling empowered.
"It really was so fun," Cunningham told SI Swimsuit. "You just feel so empowered, and something I really do love about it is like, they choose … different body sizes, shapes and sizes, different ethnicities, like they just like empower all types of women and it really was like frickin' awesome. It was awesome."
Cunningham's cowgirl outfit and country music antics come at a time when the Fever are generating plenty of headlines. The team's dynamic has been a hot topic, especially with Caitlin Clark under fire for a shove in the season opener that sparked a 'dirty player' debate. Meanwhile, an ESPN analyst dropped a hot take suggesting the Fever might actually be tougher without Clark on the floor.
Cunningham's ability to balance her basketball career with her off-court passions is winning over fans. Whether she's singing country tunes or modeling for a major magazine, she's proving she has the star power to succeed long after her playing days are over.
The cowgirl look has also sparked comparisons to other athletes who've embraced similar styles. Samantha Busch stole the show with a cowgirl photo while her husband Kyle Busch sought medical help, and Kelly Kelly's cowgirl look sparked a wild reaction from WWE fans. It seems the cowgirl aesthetic is having a moment in sports culture.
For now, Cunningham is enjoying the spotlight and showing that WNBA players can have diverse interests and talents. Her viral moments are a reminder that athletes are more than just their on-court performances.
