Sophie Cunningham delivered one of the standout performances of her WNBA career this season, but it wasn’t enough to earn her any first-place votes for the Sixth Player of the Year award. Instead, Janelle Salaun of the Golden State Valkyries took home the honor in a unanimous decision, securing all 74 first-place votes thanks to her record-setting 509 points off the bench.
Cunningham’s role with the Indiana Fever was crucial, averaging 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 46% from the field. She was especially effective beyond the arc, hitting 41.9% of her three-pointers, which added valuable spacing alongside teammates Caitlin Clark, Kelsey Mitchell, and Aliyah Boston. Beyond the stats, Cunningham brought grit and versatility, guarding multiple positions and consistently energizing the Fever when coming off the bench.
While Salaun’s powerful season—averaging 12.7 points in 40 appearances off the bench—made her a unanimous pick, Cunningham’s contributions remain vital to Indiana. With her contract expiring, the Fever face a key offseason decision in determining how to integrate her skillset alongside their core stars as they prepare for another championship push.
Though Cunningham missed out on the award, her breakout season positions her well for a significant role in Indiana’s future plans and underscores the importance of versatile, tough players in today’s WNBA landscape.
Fan Take: This award result highlights just how deep and competitive the WNBA bench talent has become, signaling growth and increasing parity within the league. For fans, it’s a reminder that impactful players like Cunningham may not always get the hardware but are nonetheless essential pieces to championship-contending teams.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
