EXCLUSIVE: Our Q&A with Sophie Cunningham
Cunningham is often proclaimed the team's "Sixth Starter" by coach Nate Tibbetts. She has started each of the Mercury's three games since they returned from the month-long break due to the Olympics.
Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham is often proclaimed the team’s “Sixth Starter,” according to first-year coach Nate Tibbetts.
Cunningham, who this past Thursday turned 28, sat down with Desert Wave Media after she recorded her first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds in the Mercury’s 86-68 win over the Chicago Sky on Sunday.
This interview has been edited lightly for clarity.
Desert Wave: I know last time we talked, you were working through (right) shoulder pain.
Cunningham: “Yes, it is still very much there. So I’m just trying to not do too much at practice, and just trying to keep myself better for the games … We’re going to probably have to deal with it after season.”
Desert Wave: Got it. The Chicago Sky are the top rebounding team in the league (at 37.1 per game) and you were able to do pretty well (rebounding) in those two games (on Thursday and Sunday. The Mercury out-rebounded the Sky 34 to 33 in Thursday’s 85-65 win and lost by three rebounds, 44 to 41, in Sunday’s 86-68 win.) What stands out when you and the team are thinking about rebounding the last few games?
Cunningham: “We just think that we’re really good offensively, but in order to do offense, you got to get the ball on the defensive end. Getting (recently-signed forward Monique Billings), a four, here is huge for us. It’s going to help us a lot. But if all of us can just kind of do a little bit more on the defensive end, we’re going to be really good. Last night (on Sunday), I guess it was just my night to go do that. That’s one of my things. During the (Olympic) break, they were like, ‘Hey, I need you to rebound more.’”
Desert Wave: When Bec (Allen, who is currently sidelined with a right hamstring injury) gets back, that’s probably going to look great.
Cunningham: “I’d love to have her now. Because if we could have really good bodies, the better … I don’t know when we’re going to get her back.
“Really, adding Mo (Billings) is huge for us.”
Desert Wave: Where would you say you’ve grown the most with your game this year?
Cunningham: “I think just staying ready … You start (in the 2023 and 2022 WNBA seasons), and then you’re off the bench (behind Allen). It could be a mental game.
“But for me, we have (four Olympians: Allen, Diana Taurasi, Kahleah Copper and Brittney Griner) on our team. We have new people here. I just gotta keep getting better every single day. And I think where I’ve grown most is really, (to) do less. I don’t need to be running around. I can actually play my position now and stay on the 3-point line. Attack, get in the lane and kick out when I need to. But when you have people who are really good at playmaking, all I need to do is find my gaps and spot up.”
Desert Wave: How much has that approach helped you when you’re in the starting lineup?
Cunningham: “Sometimes, I prefer coming off the bench, because maybe I have more opportunity to score the ball. (But) you’re out there, you know that Dee, Kah and BG, Tash are going to get theirs. They’re going to draw a lot of attention. So if I can just find the gaps and they’re willing to kick, I’m going to try to knock it down.”
Desert Wave: What stands out about the Atlanta Dream?
Cunningham: “They’ve been on a tear lately … They’re really good. I know Cheyenne Parker-Tyus went down (on Monday with an ankle injury), which we hate to see. Love her, she’s a phenomenal player. But for us, it’s not really about who we’re playing, it really is about us. How can we grow from this game? The first time that we played Chicago was good, Indiana was really bad. We bounced back well last night. But we need to do better than we did last night. So we need to stop Rhyne Howard, they have some good players on their team. But it’s about us and executing and staying committed to what we do well.”
Desert Wave: What’s your experience been like playing for Nate?
Cunningham: “It’s been phenomenal. I just love him as a human, as a dad, he’s a great dad. And then as a coach, he’s just so respectful. He treats us well. He knows the game very well, and our supporting staff is probably the best in the league. I’m just happy that we have a coach who knows what they’re doing and is going to lead us to a championship one day.”