Fever's Sophie Cunningham on scalloped potatoes, meatloaf: 'Back in the Midwest & I love it.'

Indianapolis Star

01-05-2025

INDIANAPOLIS — Seems like Sophie Cunningham is pretty fired up to be back in the Midwest.
"Heck yeah," the Missouri-native said during Indiana Fever media day Wednesday. "After practice (Tuesday), they had scalloped potatoes and meatloaf and I was like, 'I am back in the Midwest and I love it. I'm all here. I'm for it. I'm for it.'"
Cunningham, a Missouri-native and University of Missouri graduate, spent the past six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury, who drafted her in the second-round of the 2019 WNBA Draft. The Fever acquired the 6-1 shooting guard as part of a four-team deal at the end of January.
Cunningham said she's heard from approximately 400-800 people about tickets. "I kinda forgot what it's like to be back home with family and friends," she laughed.
Cunningham's not the only one with plenty of loved ones eager to come watch her play.
Rookie Bree Hall, a second-round selection from South Carolina, expects to have "tons of family and friends" at Gainbridge for Saturday's preseason opener. The 6-1 guard grew up in Dayton and regularly traveled to Indy for AAU tournaments growing up.
Being back in the midwest is nothing new — a welcome change, if anything — for Cunningham and Hall.
That is not the case for most of their fellow newcomers, who are experiencing our way of life for the first time after spending most of their lives in other regions of the country.
Yvonne Ejim, a 2025 third-round pick from Gonzaga, was told to "bring a jacket" — fair — to which she replied: "It's summertime, I don't think I'll need a jacket." (Oh no...)
"(They also said) go out there and explore, and I like to do that stuff," Ejim continued. "So, really good advice from them."
Makayla Timpson, another rookie (second-rounder from Florida State) compared the weather here to Tallahassee, Florida. "It rained one day then it was sunny, so right now it's pretty good," she said. "But I know it gets cold. I'm really not excited about the cold. … I don't like snow."
With respect to the people, this quote from Jaelyn Brown was in response to her first week with the Fever organization, but I'd like to think it applies to midwesterners, too.
"Everyone is very genuine here. It's real and authentic," Brown said. "I love everybody's demeanor. We want the best out of everybody and that's what I live for."
A number of the newcomers have had the opportunity to explore downtown Indy.
Sydney Colson, a Texas-native, has heard good things about Carmel, while Ejim said she's been strolling downtown, looking for food places, coffee shops and whatever she can find. "It's been good so far," she said.
Asked her favorite places to visit so far, Brianna Turner cited: The Garage Food Hall, Sidedoor Bagels — "They have really good bagels," she said — Leviathan Bakehouse and Hasuno Sushi.
"Obviously I love food," Turner laughed. "I'm a really big foodie, so if anyone has any recommendations, please let me know."
(Sushi House downtown also got a shoutout.)
The Midwest experience will continue Sunday when the Fever travel to Carver Hawkeye Arena to take on the Brazil National Team.
"It's going to be fun to be back in that Midwest mentality with people who are all about their sports teams," said Cunningham, whose college career ended with an NCAA tournament loss to the Iowa Hawkeyes at CHA. "I'm excited for it."
The Indiana Fever play their first preseason game Saturday against the Washington Mystics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.