Sophie Cunningham’s nickname reveals growing Fever bond originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Indiana Fever have spent much of the early season dealing with injuries, lineup changes and the growing expectations that come with being one of the WNBA’s most-watched teams. What has quietly emerged alongside those challenges is a locker room that appears to be growing closer by the week.
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That was evident again this weekend when veteran guard Sophie Cunningham revealed the nickname she has for rookie teammate Raven Johnson. After Johnson shared a collection of photos on Instagram, Cunningham jumped into the comments with a message that immediately caught the attention of Fever fans.
“Our little baby squirrel 😍😍,” Cunningham wrote.
It’s the kind of nickname that probably makes little sense outside the Fever locker room. Inside it, however, it appears to perfectly capture Johnson’s personality.
The No. 10 overall pick has quickly become one of the team’s energy sources. Whether she’s dancing during practice, bringing life to workouts or flying around defensively during games, Johnson has earned a reputation for being constantly in motion. That isn’t just something teammates have noticed.
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Head coach Stephanie White recently praised Johnson’s enthusiasm and ability to connect with those around her, describing a player who brings joy and positive energy while still taking her basketball responsibilities seriously.
Raven Johnson’s energy has become impossible to ignore
For Cunningham, the relationship has gone beyond simply being teammates. The veteran has repeatedly praised Johnson since training camp and has embraced a mentorship role with the rookie. Their social media interactions have offered fans a glimpse into that bond, including a recent exchange in which Cunningham told Johnson “ily” on Instagram and Johnson responded with “Love you more.”
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Those relationships matter, especially for a rookie trying to carve out a role on a championship contender. Johnson’s confidence appears to be growing with every opportunity she receives.
MORE: Becky Hammon joins elite WNBA company with latest Aces victory
Fever rookie is backing up the hype on the court
Her breakout moment came in Indiana’s recent matchup against the Golden State Valkyries. In the Fever’s narrow 90-88 loss, Johnson delivered the best performance of her young WNBA career, finishing with a career-high 16 points while shooting 70 percent from the field and knocking down two of her three attempts from beyond the arc. Her 16 points matched Caitlin Clark for the team lead that night.
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The performance served as a reminder of why Indiana invested a first-round pick in the former South Carolina star.
Johnson arrived in the WNBA with an impressive résumé that included two national championships and SEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. While her defense was expected to translate immediately, her offensive development could become one of the biggest X-factors for the Fever as the season progresses.
If that happens, Cunningham may have to come up with an even bigger nickname.
For now, though, “baby squirrel” seems to fit just fine.
