Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham has the internet talking after photos surfaced of her celebrating her 30th birthday on a boat with a new companion. The images, taken during the WNBA break for the FIBA Women's World Cup, show Cunningham in a green and yellow bikini embracing a shirtless man. Social media quickly went to work trying to identify him.
Sports outlets have named him as Frank Adams, the head athletic trainer for Grand Canyon University's men's basketball program in Arizona. Adams previously spent six years as an assistant athletic trainer with the NBA's Phoenix Suns, where he handled daily player care and recovery. He also led the medical staff for the G League's Iowa Wolves.
A shared history in the Valley of the Sun
The connection between Cunningham and Adams likely goes back to their overlapping time in Phoenix. Cunningham played her first six WNBA seasons with the Phoenix Mercury before being traded to the Fever in February 2025. The Suns and Mercury share training facilities and organizational resources, so the two would have had plenty of chances to cross paths professionally.
Neither Cunningham nor Adams has posted the photos on their own verified accounts, and neither has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship. This is the first major dating rumor for Cunningham since her college relationship with former Missouri athlete Jakob Neidig in 2019-2020. Both have stayed quiet about the outing, letting the speculation run its course.
The buzz around Cunningham's birthday celebration is a reminder of her status as one of the most talked-about players in women's basketball. She's known for her on-court hustle and her off-court personality, which keeps her in the spotlight even during breaks. As the WNBA season resumes, she'll be back to focusing on the Fever's playoff push, but fans will be watching to see if any more photos surface.
For now, the boat day offers a breather before the playoff grind. And while the romance rumors swirl, Cunningham has been open about her personal preferences—she's even joked about her ideal partner being Alan Jackson. Whether Adams fits that country-music mold remains to be seen.
This isn't the first time Cunningham has made headlines for her personal life. She's spoken about the pressure to stay quiet on certain topics in women's sports, and her fashion choices have sparked fan buzz, like her cutout dress that turned heads. She also has a wave tattoo that honors her family's faith, showing a more personal side.
As the story develops, fans across the Americas and the diaspora are watching. Whether this is a summer fling or something more, Cunningham's ability to command attention is undeniable. For now, the mystery man has a name, but the full story remains untold.
