Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham’s first Adidas player-exclusive basketball shoes sold out in most men’s and women’s sizes on the Adidas website within hours of their July 24, 2026, release.
The sell-out comes as heightened attention on the 6-foot-1 guard following a viral on-court moment in June that generated widespread internet memes.
Who Is Sophie Cunningham?
Sophie Cunningham, born August 16, 1996, in Columbia, Missouri, played college basketball at the University of Missouri, where she became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,187 points.
She was selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2019 WNBA Draft and spent six seasons with the team before being acquired by the Indiana Fever in a four-team trade announced in early February 2025.
In the 2026 season with the Fever, Cunningham has averaged 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game through 26 appearances.
She has drawn notice for defending teammate Caitlin Clark in physical situations during games.
The Viral Pointing Moment
On June 22, 2026, during the Indiana Fever’s 86-77 win over the Phoenix Mercury at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Cunningham pointed at Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner for approximately 22 seconds.
The sequence followed a physical altercation involving Bonner and Fever guard Caitlin Clark that resulted in a technical foul on Clark. Cunningham approached an official while pointing toward Bonner and questioning why Bonner had not also received a technical. Bonner told Cunningham not to point at her. Cunningham then continued pointing silently while maintaining eye contact and following Bonner on the court until a Fever staff member directed her toward the bench. Both players received technical fouls.
A front-facing video clip of the gesture was posted on X by user @JerryWatkins22 on June 23, 2026, and accumulated millions of views.
— Jerry Watkins 🥶 (@JerryWatkins22) June 23, 2026
Memes That Followed and What the Gesture Represents
The clip spread across X, TikTok, and Instagram as a reaction meme. Users applied the image or GIF to situations involving calling someone out for perceived bad, lazy, or unacceptable behavior.
On her June 27, 2026, episode of the “Show Me Something” podcast, co-hosted with West Wilson, Cunningham described the moment:
“So, what happened is… [DeWanna Bonner] is the one that did something extra, and then Caitlin got the tech. So I walked out there, and I was literally talking to the ref… I was like, ‘Now, Caitlin got one, but why didn’t [Bonner] get one? Because if Caitlin is gonna get one, then she should have got one. It shouldn’t have been one or the other. And I was just kind of pointing, and [Bonner] like, ‘Don’t you point at me!’ And I was like, ‘Oh, shouldn’t have said that.’” She added, “And I didn’t say a word… So stupid! Like, that is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done… I think it was so dumb. But it was pissing her off, and I couldn’t help myself. I could not. She was losing her s***, and all I was doing was literally pointing.”
Latest With Her Shoes
Adidas released the Crazy Energy “Sophie Cunningham” player-exclusive colorway on July 24, 2026. The shoes feature a vivid pink upper with a gradient pattern that lightens toward the heel, cream white on the ankle collar and laces, light blue accents on the mesh side panels and branding, and orange details near the outsole. They retailed for $110 – $120 in adult sizes (discrepancy across retailers).
Cunningham posted on X on July 24 that “Today’s the day” with a face-with-tongue emoji and “Who’s ready for the drop?” By mid-morning Eastern time, the shoes were reported sold out in both men’s and women’s sizes on Adidas.com, with limited remaining inventory at other retailers.
you guys really showed up! nothing but genuine love for yall💕 https://t.co/2c4nLEeRna
— Sophie Cunningham (@sophaller) July 24, 2026
Loud in pink.
The Sophie Cunningham Crazy Energy PE is available now.
🔗 Shop here: https://t.co/flUAziPzmp pic.twitter.com/I5eHEH4OfS
— adidas Basketball (@adidasHoops) July 24, 2026
The release marks Cunningham’s first player-exclusive colorway with Adidas.
Provided by Dallas Express
