The Indiana Fever locker room may be one of the youngest in the WNBA. They’re the fourth-youngest average age in the league at 26.2 years. And according to Sophie Cunningham, youth brings both a blessing and a very real challenge.

According to Cunningham, it is undeniably a fun group of players in Indiana. And that energy is very much a product of the youth they have assembled. But young teams come with their quirks, and for Cunningham, it can occasionally get a little overwhelming. 

“I used to talk to Diana all the time about this, and she’s like, ‘Hey, the older you get, you’re going to realize the age gap and how it’s kind of hard to connect to the younger generations,'” she said on Thursday’s episode of the Sons and Daughters podcast with Shannon Spake. “I’m like, ‘No, like you’re just old, and you’re just not wanting to do it.’ I’m 29, and they’re like 22 to 24. I end up hanging out with the trainers and stuff because I’m like, ‘I don’t understand your guys’ language. It is a whole new world.'”

Sophie Cunningham entered the league in 2019 and is now in her eighth season, and at 29, she is finding that the generation gap between herself and her younger teammates is more real than she ever anticipated. What makes it even more interesting is that this is almost exactly the kind of experience that WNBA legend Diana Taurasi used to warn her about. And Cunningham, to her own admission, did not believe her. 

Despite the generational gap, however, Cunningham has not let it get in the way of her genuine appreciation for her younger teammates. As she put it simply, “They’re awesome and we all have a great time.”

Sophie Cunningham and Diana Taurasi Great Relationship Despite 14-Year Age Gap

Of course, an age gap can sometimes become a barrier when it comes to friendships and relationships. However, Sophie Cunningham and Diana Taurasi‘s relationship appeared to be one that remained strong despite the 14-year age gap between them.

The two played together for six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury. Together, they helped the franchise reach five WNBA playoff appearances and a trip to the 2021 WNBA Finals. However, beyond their success and connection on the court, the two also appeared to share a close relationship despite their age difference.

In fact, the age gap between them sometimes became the subject of jokes in their friendship. Notably, Cunningham famously called Taurasi a “dinosaur” during press conferences when the WNBA legend was breaking longevity records at her age.

Speaking on The Old Man and the Three podcast last year, Cunningham reflected on the bond she had built with Taurasi over the years.

“Her energy and her aura is just so strong and intense,” she said. “But I’ve gotten to know her for the past seven years. We are good friends now. She’s so intense, but I think she does that because she has one of the biggest hearts and feels everything.”

Theirs is one of those friendships in which age is just a number.