In the high-stakes, high-energy world of professional basketball, a player’s role on the court is often a fluid concept, shaped by skill, strategy, and sheer grit. But for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham, her identity has become a crystal-clear, and at times controversial, one: she is the team’s designated “enforcer.” In a candid interview that sent ripples through the WNBA, Cunningham not only embraced this fiery title but also drew a provocative parallel to one of the most polarizing figures in the NBA, Golden State Warriors’ forward Draymond Green.
Cunningham’s comments came after a season marked by an unprecedented level of physicality directed at her teammate, rookie sensation Caitlin Clark. From hard fouls to aggressive screens and a continuous barrage of rough play, Clark has been a lightning rod for on-court confrontation. While many players and coaches have publicly complained about the lack of protection for the league’s most visible star, Cunningham has taken a different approach. She’s taken matters into her own hands.
“I’m just the ultimate competitor,” Cunningham said in a team video. “I bring the energy. I bring the feistiness. I’m a little bit sassy. I will outwork anyone, and I think that’s something I can hang my hat on and my teammates can always expect from me.”
This commitment was on full display in a recent game against the Connecticut Sun, where she delivered a hard foul on an opposing player, a move widely seen as retaliation for an earlier incident involving Clark. The foul, which resulted in Cunningham’s ejection, was a clear message to the rest of the league: the Indiana Fever will not be pushed around. In the aftermath of the game, Cunningham was celebrated by fans and analysts for stepping up and protecting her teammate, a role she has since fully embraced. “I don’t mind Draymond,” Cunningham said, agreeing with host Tommy Alter
Her willingness to be the team’s tough-as-nails protector has earned her the nickname “the enforcer.” But it was her recent comparison to Draymond Green that truly solidified her identity. Green is a player known for his defensive intensity, his emotional outbursts, and his willingness to do the “dirty work” to win. He is a fierce competitor who is not afraid to get under the skin of his opponents, and he has often been the vocal leader and emotional heartbeat of a Warriors team that has won multiple championships.
Speaking on a podcast, Cunningham directly addressed the comparison. “I don’t mind Draymond Green,” she admitted. “I was just giving him his flowers because when you are on a team with a superstar, people do go for them. I don’t care what anyone says, there is a different type of effort and extra-ness to try to maybe get in their head or try to throw them off their rhythm… and a majority of the time those superstars, they don’t have that kind of feisty or sassiness to kind of back themselves up, and they need their teammates to do it.”
Cunningham’s words shed light on a widely acknowledged but rarely discussed aspect of professional sports: the need for a player to assume the role of bodyguard for the team’s star. In the NBA, this role is a time-honored tradition. From Charles Oakley protecting Michael Jordan to Udonis Haslem having LeBron James’s back, a team’s success often hinges on its willingness to defend its most valuable assets. In the WNBA, where the league’s top players are now global icons, this need has become more critical than ever.
Cunningham’s background adds another layer to her enforcer persona. A black belt in taekwondo since the age of six, she has a foundation of discipline and physical prowess that translates directly to the basketball court. Her upbringing on a farm, a subject she has spoken about at length, also instilled in her a strong work ethic and a “farm strong” mentality. These are not just physical attributes; they are a mindset, a willingness to get down and dirty and to never back down from a fight.
The comparison to Green, however, is not without its controversy. Green is a player who has been suspended multiple times for his on-court actions, and his behavior has often been a lightning rod for criticism. By likening herself to him, Cunningham is not only embracing a role of physical protector but also accepting the potential for fines, ejections, and public backlash.
But for Cunningham, the risk is worth the reward. She sees herself as a player who is not afraid to “call out officiating or offer blunt opinions on league matters.” Her vocal leadership, toughness, and occasional controversy have made her a polarizing but beloved team member. And in a league that is still finding its way in the mainstream media, a player with her kind of fire and personality is an invaluable asset.
As the Fever’s season progresses, the conversation around Cunningham and her role as an enforcer will only intensify. Her presence on the court, her willingness to stand up for her teammates, and her unapologetic embrace of her competitive nature have made her a fan favorite and a central figure in the WNBA’s evolving narrative. Whether her approach is a necessary evil or a brilliant strategic move remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Sophie Cunningham is not just a basketball player. She is a force.
