Sophie Cunningham hires 24/7 security after months of controversy

Sophie Cunningham openly questions why WNBA players miss so many open layups.

The Indiana Fever guard and nine-year WNBA veteran brought it up on the latest episode of her No Hesitation Show podcast with trainer Drew Hanlen.

“Why do women basketball players, why do we miss so many wide-open layups?” Cunningham asked.

“It’s a joke because it does actually happen… Like wide-open layups.”

Hanlen tried to explain with reasons citing size and strength.

But even he could not explain why wide-open layups had such a different rate of completion between men’s and women’s basketball.

The rim for both men’s and women’s basketball is at the same height.

This difference potentially could come down to just the average heights of the players.

The closer you are to the rim, the easier it is to score.

The average height in the WNBA is 6’0″.

The average height in the NBA is 6’6″.

This could explain why there is such a perceived difference in the rate at which we see made wide-open layups in both leagues.

Cunningham sharing and validating this stereotype as a high-level WNBA player will give anti-WNBA fans more reasons to dismiss the league and women’s basketball.

But she just discussed something she views as an objective truth based on her experience as a professional athlete.

Cunningham is hoping to be one of the premier names in the 2026 WNBA free agency market after her contract with the Indiana Fever expired.

The nine-year WNBA veteran is bound to attract interest as a lights-out shooter.

Cunningham’s growing profile off the court has made her a mainstream figure.

Her podcast is now being consumed by fans away from the basketball world.

This might make her recent take create a negative perception of women’s basketball.

Cunningham has been in the national spotlight since July 2025.

In an ESPN interview published that month, she contended that young girls “shouldn’t have to go against biological men.”

Her remarks sparked immediate and widespread reactions across the political spectrum.

There were several nationwide protests and an official White House statement.

Her comments also brought her unprecedented attention.

According to bknown’s Brendan Kaminsky, she gained more Instagram followers in 2025 than the other 49 most-followed WNBA players combined.

Cunningham has now hired around-the-clock security.

She revealed this on a recent episode of her No Hesitation podcast.

“I was already starting…definitely in certain places people kind of knew who I was, and I couldn’t really go anywhere,” she explained.

“Now it’s like, it doesn’t matter what state, what city, it’s everywhere.

“So, I’ve definitely hired security, and they’re actually going to start traveling with me next week 24/7.

“So, that’s a little different.”

“But yeah, it just kind of stops you from your regular routine.

“You have to kind of find a balance of getting away and making sure that you’re filling up your own cup and doing what you’re supposed to so when you’re out, you’re able to give people your best energy too.

“That’s super important to me, just being nice and being positive and treating people how I wish I could be treated.”