What if I told you that the stars have a hand in guiding our passions? Well, maybe they do, especially for Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham! This basketball star isn’t just dribbling her way through the WNBA; she’s got her eye on a completely different kind of competition – “Dancing With the Stars!” Imagine her twinkling under the spotlight, trading in her sneakers for some shimmy-worthy sequins! On her “No Hesitation” podcast, she revealed that, despite her years of contacting the show, her basketball commitments have consistently tripped her up, like a dancer stepping on her own toes! As she navigates her career crossroads with her contract expiring, one has to wonder—will the cosmos align to let her groove her way to the ballroom? Hold onto your cosmic crystals and read on to find out more about Sophie’s starry aspirations and her unexpected encounters with the dazzling world of dance!
Sophie Cunningham has her sights set on a different kind of competition, and it doesn’t involve a basketball. The Indiana Fever guard has revealed that she still wants to compete on “Dancing With the Stars,” even admitting that she’s been in contact with the show for years. However, her WNBA commitments have repeatedly stood in the way of making that dream happen.
The 30-year-old shared the latest update on her “No Hesitation” podcast, where she also recalled a memorable encounter with professional dancer Daniella Karagach. Her comments come as she faces another major career decision, with her future in Indiana uncertain following the expiration of her contract.
![May 28 2026 Indiana guard Sophie Cunningham (8)on the court during the WNBA game between Indiana Fever and the Golden State Valkyries. Thurman James / CSM (Credit Image: © Thurman James/Cal Sport Media) Newscom/(Mega Agency TagID: csmphotothree492105.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]](https://media.theblast.com/t/aJVeuNAWu6Lm/width=788%2Cheight=469%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=65%2Cgravity=auto%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/csmphotothree492105-scaled-e1787749026141-788x469.jpg)
Cunningham isn’t hiding her enthusiasm for the ABC competition, but making room for it in her schedule has proven difficult. According to Athlon Sports, the basketball star revisited her longtime interest in “Dancing With the Stars” during a recent episode of “No Hesitation,” which she co-hosts with basketball trainer Drew Hanlen.
“I truly do hope that I can do it one day,” Cunningham said.
She then explained the biggest obstacle.
“It gets in the way of our WNBA season. So, that’s kind of my hold-up, but it’s not out of the question.”
The timing is particularly tricky for professional basketball players. “Dancing With the Stars” typically begins in September, when the WNBA season is entering its final stretch and teams are preparing for the playoffs. Taking part in the show would require weeks of rehearsals and live performances, making it difficult for Cunningham to balance both commitments. For now, she hasn’t announced any agreement to join the cast, but she clearly hasn’t abandoned the idea.

Cunningham’s interest in the ballroom competition became even more exciting after she recently attended the show as an audience member. During the visit, she met professional dancer Daniella Karagach, and the two apparently hit it off immediately. Cunningham recalled being impressed by Karagach’s dancing ability and was surprised to discover that the admiration went both ways.
“She saw me, she was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m a huge fan,’ and I was like, ‘I’m a huge fan of you,’” Cunningham shared.
But Karagach didn’t stop at exchanging compliments.
“Well, come next season … come be my partner next year. You can lift me up,” the professional dancer reportedly told her.
The invitation caught Cunningham off guard.
“Oh. That’s awesome,” she recalled responding, before describing the encounter as “a really fun experience.”
At 6-foot-1, Cunningham would certainly bring a height advantage to the ballroom, something Karagach appeared eager to put to use. Still, the conversation was an informal invitation rather than confirmation of a future partnership. Whether the two ever share the dance floor will depend on Cunningham’s basketball commitments and the show’s casting decisions.
![May 30, 2026: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham (8) is clearly wondering how she committed another foul during the WNBA game between the Portland Fire and the Indiana Fever at the Rose Garden, Portland, OR. Larry C. Lawson/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images) (Credit Image: © Larry C. Lawson/Cal Sport Media) Newscom/(Mega Agency TagID: csmphotothree492226.jpg) [Photo via Mega Agency]](https://media.theblast.com/t/Tvchy68bRlwZ/width=788%2Cheight=573%2Cfit=crop%2Cquality=65%2Cgravity=auto%2Cmetadata=none%2Cformat=auto%2Conerror=redirect/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/csmphotothree492226-788x573.jpg)
While Cunningham is considering opportunities outside basketball, her immediate professional future remains unresolved. The veteran guard completed the 2026 WNBA season with Indiana, but her one-year contract has expired, leaving her eligible for unrestricted free agency. That means Cunningham can explore opportunities with other teams or negotiate a return to the Fever. She averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists across 43 regular-season appearances in 2026, providing Indiana with experience and shooting off the bench.
The Fever finished the regular season with a 28-16 record before falling to the Las Vegas Aces in the opening round of the playoffs. Despite the disappointing postseason exit, Cunningham remained an important contributor throughout the campaign. Her uncertain contract situation also comes amid changes within Indiana’s front office, including the departures of team president Kelly Krauskopf and general manager Amber Cox.
Cunningham has been making the most of her growing popularity away from the WNBA court. The Missouri native has developed partnerships with major brands, including Adidas, Arby’s, and Marriott Bonvoy, while also appearing in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition. She has also expanded into podcasting through “No Hesitation,” where she and Hanlen discuss basketball alongside developments in her personal and professional life.
According to Athlon Sports, Cunningham has also committed to Project B, an emerging international basketball league scheduled to begin competition in January. Speaking about her growing business interests, she explained that her goals extend beyond her performance on the court.
“It’s becoming a businesswoman,” Cunningham said. “It’s owning things. It’s growing into who I am, and my personal life and my faith, but also on the basketball court.”
She also confirmed her enthusiasm for Project B’s upcoming launch, saying she was “super excited” about the opportunity. The venture gives Cunningham another basketball commitment to consider as she weighs her next WNBA contract and possible entertainment opportunities.
Cunningham has previously acknowledged that she doesn’t know exactly where her WNBA career will take her next. Before the offseason, Cox praised the guard’s contributions, describing her as an experienced locker-room presence and a reliable shooter.
“Sophie’s had two really productive years for us in terms of shooting the basketball,” Cox said during Indiana’s exit interviews.
She also described Cunningham as “a really solid leader in the locker room” and “an important voice” when the team needed to focus.
At the time, Cox said the organization expected to have conversations with Cunningham about her future, although no agreement had been announced.
For her part, Cunningham has tried to maintain a positive outlook while navigating the uncertainty.
“I’m just embracing where my two feet are at,” she said in a separate interview about her career plans. “I live a pretty blessed lifestyle. I’m going to live it up, and I’m just happy to be where I’m at.”
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