PHOENIX AZ-- The three-time WNBA Champ Phoenix Mercury have actually re-signed Sophie Cunningham to a multi-year deal, the team revealed today. "Sophie belongs to our core, now and for the future," claimed Mercury General Supervisor Jim Pitman. "She has actually expanded every year of her career and took a tremendous advance as a player last year. The delight in her play, her tenacity on the court, and her love of the Valley and the Mercury company made re-signing her a concern for us. She's a fan favored and she's liked by teammates, trainers and staff that deal with her each day. She will certainly be an additional vital piece this season as we proceed to develop in the direction of a championship lineup. "An outbreak fourth WNBA season in 2022 made Cunningham one of the top prospects for the league's Many Better Gamer honor, averaging job highs of 12. 6 points, 4. 4 rebounds and 1. 6 aids per video game. She handled a much more famous role after lineup changeover made her a permanent starter on June 25. From then, Cunningham balanced 15. 6 factors, 4. 8 rebounds, and 3. 1 made threes per video game and assisting lead the team to its 10th consecutive playoff appearance. Cunningham's shooting made a jump after coming to be a long-term component in the beginning lineup, attaching on 46. 2 percent from the field and 40. 9 percent from the three-point made 56 threes after June 25-- just league-leader Kelsey Plum made much more-- and for the period made a total amount of 70 3s, going beyond the 58 threes she made in her very first three regular periods incorporated. Cunningham came to be simply the 4th gamer in franchise business history to make 70 threes in a season, joining colleague Diana Taurasi, Leilani Mitchell and Anna DeForge. A significant contributor down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs, the very best video game of her profession came during a double-overtime game on July 12 at Minnesota, scoring a career-high 36 factors on a career-high six made threes. Cunningham scored 11 points as component of an 18-5 perform at the end of the fourth quarter, consisting of a game-tying second-chance 3, that sent out video game to overtime Kahleah Copper Jersey. She ended up being simply the second player in WNBA background to tape 30+ points, 5+ rebounds, 5+ swipes and 5+ three-points made in a game, signing up with tale Cynthia Cooper. In addition, Cunningham presently holds the document for the lengthiest streak of regular season games with 2+ three reminders made in WNBA background with 17 video games, passing guard Diana Taurasi on August 12 against signature on-court flair and strength have made her a follower and team preferred, resulting in the label "Spicy Sophie" and a trademark mixed drink, the "Spicy Sopharita", at Impact Center.