Sophie Cunningham Makes Shocking Announcement: She’s Pregnant… and Caitlin Clark’s Reaction Says It All
In a twist no one saw coming, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham has stunned fans and teammates alike by announcing she is pregnant. The news broke late Sunday evening via Cunningham’s personal Instagram, where she posted a glowing photo of herself cradling a visible baby bump, captioned simply: “A new journey begins 💫👶🏼 #MamaHooper”.
But the internet wasn’t just buzzing about Sophie—what had fans glued to their screens was how Indiana Fever rookie phenom Caitlin Clark reacted to the surprise announcement.
Just minutes after Sophie’s post went live, Caitlin commented with three wide-eyed emojis followed by a cryptic “Oh wow… you kept that one quiet 👀”. It didn’t take long for the comment section to explode with speculation—was Caitlin caught off guard? Did the Fever locker room know? And what does this mean for Cunningham’s immediate future on the court?
According to sources close to the team, Cunningham, 28, found out she was expecting during pre-season physicals but chose to keep the news private while finalizing her decision to step back mid-season. She is currently averaging 6.3 points off the bench for the Fever, serving as a veteran mentor in a squad increasingly focused on building around breakout rookie Clark.
“This wasn’t planned,” Cunningham admitted in a brief statement released Monday morning. “But I’m embracing every part of this new chapter. Being a mom and a professional athlete isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. Just look at Candace Parker.”
As for Caitlin Clark, insiders say the two have grown close since Cunningham signed with the Fever earlier this year. “Caitlin looks up to Sophie,” a teammate told us. “She’s shocked, but she’s supportive. If anything, this might bring the team even closer.”
Still, some fans are divided. With the Fever still fighting for playoff positioning and relying on veteran stability to guide Clark through her rookie year, Cunningham’s sudden exit could leave a noticeable gap.
But if one thing is clear, it’s that this isn’t a goodbye—it’s a pivot. Cunningham has confirmed she will remain around the team “as much as possible” and hinted she may take on a more behind-the-scenes mentorship role during her pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Clark is reportedly “inspired” by Sophie’s boldness. “She’s showing me there’s more to life than just basketball,” Caitlin said after practice on Monday. “And honestly, that’s a reminder I didn’t know I needed.”
With social media exploding, the question remains: will this pregnancy announcement shake up the WNBA? Or will it mark the beginning of a new, more inclusive era—one where motherhood and MVP dreams can coexist?
One thing’s for sure: Sophie’s not done. And neither is Caitlin.
