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BELLEAIR, FL – NOVEMBER 12: From left to right Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark and Lexi Hull pose for a group photo on the first tee during the Pro Am for The Annika driven by Cambridge at Pelican on November 12, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: NOV 12 LPGA, Golf Damen The ANNIKA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25111215
Imago
BELLEAIR, FL – NOVEMBER 12: From left to right Indiana Fever players Sophie Cunningham and Caitlin Clark and Lexi Hull pose for a group photo on the first tee during the Pro Am for The Annika driven by Cambridge at Pelican on November 12, 2025, at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire GOLF: NOV 12 LPGA, Golf Damen The ANNIKA EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25111215
For the Indiana Fever, this offseason’s biggest victory wasn’t landing a star from another team, but ensuring their own fan-favorite trio would return. With two pieces of the ‘Tres Leches’ puzzle in place, all eyes were on Sophie Cunningham’s next move.
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According to WNBA reporter Alexa Philippou, Sophie Cunningham has extended her stay with the Indiana-based franchise, signing a one-year extension. The 29-year-old was an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but the Fever wasted little time in securing her immediate future at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Breaking: Sophie Cunningham has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Indiana Fever, sources told ESPN.
Cunningham joins guards Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull in coming back to the Fever. Indiana has also added newcomers Monique Billings & Ty Harris so far this free agency pic.twitter.com/OE6y0Y9fhl
— Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 12, 2026
Sophie joins Lexie Hull, who signed a multi-year deal with the Indiana Fever, and Caitlin Clark, whose rookie contract doesn’t expire until 2027. This means the ‘Tres Leches’ core will be back in action for the upcoming season, as the franchise seeks WNBA glory.
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With the ‘Tres Leches’ core staying put, and Kelsey Mitchell signing a supermax deal, the Indiana Fever have achieved the unthinkable, keeping all their core players ahead of the season. Head coach Stephanie White had emphasized that the Fever’s focus in the offseason will be to retain their key players rather than target key signings.
‘Tres Leches’ back on the Indiana menu after Sophie’s new deal
Fans were hoping for the trio of Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, and Caitlin Clark to play together again this season, and are excited after Alexa’s report confirming the same.
One fan highlighted, “This is huge for the Fever. Tres Leches staying intact is exactly what we needed. Solid moves all around so far.”
The trio forms a key core of the Fever roster alongside Kelsey Mitchell. The fans had named the trio ‘Tres Leches’ after their visible on-court and off-court chemistry. Even the players played into it, with Sophie wearing a ‘Tres Leches’ T-shirt featuring the trio’s faces on it in 2025.
Another pointed out the difference in Lexie’s deal and Sophie’s. They said, “Lexie signed multi year why only 1 for Sophie, that isn’t a good sign.” While Sophie has been handed a one-year deal, there could be several reasons behind it. One of the primary ones could be her return from injury, with the Fever not looking to offer a multi-year deal to her, fresh off a long-term injury.
Another could be the fact that Aliyah Boston already qualifies for a max deal, and Caitlin Clark would qualify for one next year. This could force the Fever to shuffle a lot, hence the one-year deals to Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham.
One fan wasn’t happy with her return and sighed, “I was really hoping we would move on from her. She didn’t contribute much at all to my Fever team, and there are so many better free agent options. Not happy about this one, but it’s cool. Go Fever!”
There are over 100 Free Agents who entered the offseason without a deal for the upcoming season. However, Sophie provides a lot of synergy, and her on-court bravado helps the team counter the aggression shown by opponents. Her intent to cover and support her teammates on the floor and off it is also an underrated trait.
Another declared that the power of friendship will lead Indiana to the WNBA Championship this year. They exclaimed, “YASS. Finally! Now I can actually rest without being riddled with anxiety. We’re gonna win that chip this year with the power of friendship.”
While basketball is a game where buckets matter, synergy and chemistry are vital for building a locker room atmosphere that contributes heavily to winning.
Sophie already displayed how passionately she can defend her teammates in the Caitlin Clark incident in 2025 against Marina Mabrey, and the Fever fans can take last year’s example, where an injury-riddled roster piggybacked on the locker room morale and chemistry to a deep playoff run. Maybe this time, the Fever can go all the way.
One fan highlighted how Sophie was always going to come back to the Fever. They opined, “She was never going to leave… not if Indiana wanted her to stay. Leaving would’ve easily been the worst business move she could’ve made. Her brand is built around being near a certain teammate. Glad she’s back.”
With their core intact and chemistry as a clear focus, the Fever have positioned themselves not just as a team to watch, but as one built to withstand the pressures of a championship run.
Written by
Edited by
Pranav Venkatesh