WNBA Star Sophie Cunningham is "Hot and Funny" in Sizzling New Photos

Sophie Cunningham is heating up social media – in her swimsuit. In a new social media post the WNBA star shows off her amazing body in a bikini while soaking up the sun. “hot and funny it is🌶️,” she captioned the Instagram photos. How does she approach diet, fitness, and self-care? Here is everything you need to know about her lifestyle habits.

1. Basketball

Sophie’s main workout is basketball. “Basketball promotes speed, agility, strength, power and endurance. It [has] also been shown to increase flexibility and motor coordination. As a result, basketball is uniquely oriented to improve fundamental motor skills that are shown to be beneficial in promoting general health,” Koco Eaton, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, founder of Eaton Orthopaedics and a former basketball player, tells Nike.

2. Cheat Days

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Sophie allows herself the occasional cheat meal. “What you put in your body is very important, so my message is I've been there. I've kind of grown and matured. . .I still like to have my cheat days and what not but making sure you put your body in a good position, what you're putting into it is just as important as working out and the mental side of everything as well.”

3. Protein

“Your body is a machine and you have to treat it like that at an elite level. For me that's a lot of protein,” she said, revealing that she loves Quest bars because they are sweets. “I still kind of like my junk food. . .you have to have a great balance and Quest allowed you have those products but in a healthier way,” Cunningham told ClutchPoints. She keeps Quest bars in her bag, car, and “wherever you're going to be the majority of the time where if you get hungry, you need to eat something,” Cunningham said. “I want to stay away from the fast food. I want to stay away from just going into the gas station and getting chips or a bag of candy. So for me, just specifically having these bars in my bag and in my care have been absolutely changing because I'm able to just kind of get that meal replacement or just a quick snack until I can get to my next meal.”

4. Weight Training and Recovery

She also spent a lot of time “in the weight room,” she told the outlet. “I was doing a different type of recovery and mobility this year. . .when you are going through the rehab process or you're going through physical therapy and unable to play, it can be very frustrating because you just want to be out there with the team helping them try to get the W,” Cunningham said. “It's really easy to just kind of take a step back and be like, ‘oh well I'm not going to be out there for a couple of weeks, I can be a little bit relaxed and do what I want,' and honestly it's the opposite. When you're hurt you got to focus more on your diet and you got to focus more on your physical therapy or your rehab getting in the weight room. . .it does give you a better perspective, when you're able to play you're just more grateful that your body is able to be healthy and out there with your team.”

5. Ditching Fast Food

Sophie explained to Clutch Points that her diet used to consist of McDonalds, Taco Bell and a whole bunch of sweets. When she went pro she decided to make some changes. “We got to tighten up our stuff, we got to cross our T's, dot our I's. For me, my two focus points are definitely my nutrition, cleaning up my diet even more, and just getting better on the court. I'm super excited, I'm super motivated for this offseason,” she says.

In the world of women's basketball, the WNBA Champions are not only celebrated for their on-court prowess but also for the incredible dedication and commitment they demonstrate towards maintaining their peak physical condition. In this compilation, we explore the remarkable bodies of 20 WNBA champions, delving into their training routines, diets, and the mindset that fuels their success. From seasoned legends like Sue Bird and Candace Parker to rising stars like Kierstan Bell and Dana Evans, each athlete offers unique insights into what it takes to excel in one of the most demanding sports on the planet. Join us as we uncover the secrets behind these amazing bodies and the inspiring stories that drive them to victory.

1. Kelsey Plum

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Kelsey Plum is a 2022 WNBA Champion with the Las Vegas Aces. She talked about her diet in an interview with 2adays.com. “I changed my diet significantly from when I entered college. I went from eating everything to being a pescatarian. I would advise young players to watch their sugar intake, especially refined sugars. It has a huge negative impact on your body. Also, I would suggest eating for recovery after hard practices. I love chocolate almond milk, with some protein to help your body recover.”

2. A’ja Wilson

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A’ja Wilson won the 2022 WNBA Championship with the Las Vegas Aces. She shared her fitness secrets with Bustle. “My main workout is basketball practice. I get my exercise in on the court and then in the weight room, where I’ll do whatever our coach suggests to make sure my leg and upper body workouts stay balanced. I like working with resistance bands to tighten my glutes. I don’t like to sweat or use a lot of weight, so I go for bodyweight workouts like lunges, squats, and clamshells. When I add a band, I feel the burn instantly.”

3. Jackie Young

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Jackie Young is a member of the 2022 WNBA Champion team, the Las Vegas Aces. She talked about her training during her rookie year with Winsidr.com. “Got super lean,” says Young. “We put in a lot of work on the court, but being able to box and do some cardio in the heat chamber and different things like that was fun and different.”

4. Chelsea Gray

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Chelsea Gray won the 2022 WNBA Championship with the Las Vegas Aces. She talked about the playoff season that year to Yahoo Sports. “It’s so much highs and lows throughout a game,” Gray said. “Being that even-keel, keeping my composure, it’s always how I’ve been, how I operate, even outside of basketball. It keeps me grounded throughout a game [and] all the noise. I kind of have this ability to quiet it out a little bit. And that’s what makes it fun.”

5. Dearica Hamby

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Dearica Hamby won the 2022 WNBA Championships. She opened up to People about returning to the game after giving birth to her second child. "I called my team four days before training camp and said that I wanted to play, then showed up to camp and got started. I was practicing non-contact in the morning time and by the afternoon, I was in a full-fledged practice. I've really been going based on how my body feels."

6. Theresa Plaisance

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Theresa Plaisance is a member of the Las Vegas Aces, and won the 2022 WNBA Championship. In 2013, she talked about her training process to The Advocate. "My physicality went up last year, but I really hadn't mastered it because I haven't been used to it," Plaisance said. "So this summer, I got in the gym and really went to work on my inside game."

7. Kiah Stokes

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2022 WNBA Champion, Kiah Stokes talked about how her team, and her coach, Becky Hammon prepared for the game to The Gazette. “We watch film. We watched the whole (New York) game. She (Hammon) doesn’t have to say much because we all know (what happened). A lot of the stuff we watch on film is a reminder of yes, we are good but if we don’t come to play, any team’s going to whip you.”

8. Sydney Colson

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Las Vegas Aces member and 2022 Champion, Sydney Colson, uses her voice to support causes that are important to her. She wrote a personal essay for Yahoo Sports on this topic. “I am a Black, gay woman from Houston, Texas, (Houstonians prefer to be seen as our own state because Texas can be so embarrassing) so I know far too well the issues that are present here. We had to take time as a PEC to contemplate whether our fellow athletes would be safe here, whether their voices would be heard and whether we should play in a place that could be so hostile to so many of our athletes’ identities and deeply held beliefs. But the scary truth is there are many states working tirelessly to attack the rights of their citizens. We knew wherever we played, our PEC felt that this is the right time to be vocal about issues that affect us and the people who live where we will be playing. We understood that with our platform, with our stage, we could have an outsized effect for the very people these laws were meant to marginalize even further. Just by showing up, by using our voices to ally with those who are voiceless, we could have a profound effect. Professional athletes wield enormous power when microphones and cameras are put in our faces, and we are prepared to use our platforms to effect change.”

9. Kierstan Bell

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In her first year in the WNBA, Kierstan Bell won the 2022 season with the Las Vegas Aces. She talked about how she approached her season with The Naples Daily News. "When you're a rookie, you're coming from a school where you play a lot, and then you come and you're sitting down on a bench, you know, it's different. But that's just the opportunity to learn for the next year when you come in to try to attack it way different than you did, and wanting to earn a spot in the game."

10. Sue Bird

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Sue Bird is a four-time WNBA Champion, her most recent title being in 2020 with the Seattle Storm. She shared her typical diet with Delish. “My typical [in-season] day looks pretty similar to my [off-season] days. My diet is pretty much get three meals a day, I think the best way to describe it to be honest is a cycle of trying to fuel for your workout or your game and then refueling for afterwards.”

11. Candace Parker

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Candace Parker is one of the greatest women’s basketball players of all time, winning two championships. She shared her training secrets with Boardroom.tv. “I really dedicate a lot of time and energy to making sure that in the offseason — regardless of if I’m going back and forth to Atlanta for the NCAA Tournament — that I’m really taking care of my body and making sure I’m getting my lift in. Whether it’s cardio, pilates, or yoga, I think it’s not only setting the stage to be better athletically in my sport now in Year 16 but it’s going to be something that is a part of my daily routine even afterward. It kind of sets the tone in showing your kids how to live a healthy lifestyle and how important that is both mentally and physically to continue to incorporate fitness into your life.”

12. Kahleah Copper

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In an essay for AP Sports, 2021 Chicago Sky Champion, Kahleah Copper talked about her recovery process. “There’s been a lot of basketball in a short time and finding time to recover has been key to staying fresh and having success. You have to take care of your body. I have to give a huge thank you to the training staff of Courtney (Watson), Hannah (Wengertsman), Doc Cummings and Fran (Parsons), and everybody who helps keep us ready, reminding us to stay off our feet and stay hydrated.

13. Allie Quigley

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Allie Quigley is a 2021 WNBA Champion with the Chicago Sky. She talked about wanting to grow the team’s and the sport’s presence to Slam Online. “I think we’re always trying to grow the women’s game and at the same time just have Chicago notice us and notice our success,” Quigley says. “But mainly, I think we’re just thinking small picture, just about our franchise and how far we’ve come, and we’re trying to do something special, something that we’ve never done before.”

14. Courtney Vandersloot

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Courtney Vandersloot won the 2021 WNBA Championship with the Chicago Sky. She talked about how she approaches fame to Spokesman.com. “Anybody will tell you I’m not a spotlight type, I don’t want to be in the spotlight. I like being around my teammates and being a great team player. The accolades that come, they’re gonna come whether you’re silent or not. I just want to work in silence and keep it that way.”

15. Aisha Sheppard

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Aisha Sheppard won the 2022 WNBA Championship with the Las Vegas Aces. She shared her advice for other female athletes with Sports As Told By A Girl. “The best advice I could offer is that as a young athlete aspiring to play professionally at some point, never get comfortable,” she says. “Every day someone is evaluating you on and off the floor. You have to compete, and your want to has to outlast your fatigue. Hard work beats talent when talent fails to work hard.”

16. Diamond DeShields

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Diamond DeShields is the 2021 WNBA Champion, as a member of the Chicago Sky. She’s also a member of the 2022 US Women’s Team, and talked about her preparation with AP News. “We had a good training week in Las Vegas. It’s a really good group and everybody carries the same energy and intensity as far as winning goes. Practices are really competitive and there are a lot of new faces which is nice. There’s also a lot of youth.”

17. Stefanie Dolson

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Stefanie Dolson is a 2021 WNBA Champion with the Chicago Sky. After winning, Dolson shared how she prepared for the season on Instagram. “I worked my ass off this offseason to lose weight, get quicker and be my best version of myself to help my team and I did just that,” she wrote in the caption.

18. Dana Evans

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During her rookie year with the Chicago Sky, Dana Evans won the championship. She shared how her time in college prepared her for the pros with Sports Illustrated. "I feel like I'm able to take a bump, get to where I want to get to," she said. "On the defensive side as well, I can kind of bug them and get to where I need to get to as well. I would say it's translated, pretty good for me so far."

19. Lexie Brown

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Lexie Brown won the 2021 Championship with the Chicago Sky. She tells WNBA.com that she makes sure to always work hard. “That’s the biggest thing for me; I haven’t really had so many opportunities to showcase the hard work I put in, but the hard work is still being put in, and that’s something that I really value about myself. I always enjoy hearing from previous coaches, they can say a lot of things about me, good, bad or indifferent, but the one constant thing is I’ve worked really, really, really hard, and that’s something I’m proud of.”

20. Ruthy Hebard

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Ruthy Hebard plays for the Chicago Sky, winning the 2021 Championship. She recently returned to the court after having her first child. Hebard talked about this process to Alaska News Source. “Honestly, there was some doubts,” she admits. “Especially when I first started running on the treadmill, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, I feel so slow, it’s not comfortable, am I ever going to be able to run like how I used to run? Is my back always going to hurt? Are my hips always going to hurt?’ Definitely a lot of mental ups and downs. I pushed through and then I think I am playing some of the best basketball actually since I have been in the league so I am actually proud of myself.”

WNBA star Te'a Cooper is upping her fitness game by working out with personal trainer Tisch Tosch Training, and developing her strongest physique yet. Cooper, 26, tagged the trainer in an Instagram video of herself working out in black two-piece workout gear and black Travis Scott sneakers. @mstischh getting the body together,” she captioned the post. Here’s what Cooper does on and off the court, and what’s next for the champion.

1. Plant-Based Diet

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Cooper took part in a cooking competition with plant-based ZENB pasta, which she says has changed the way she eats. “Having more ideas and more recipes is fun and meeting new chefs that own businesses and stuff has been fun,” she tells Blavity. “I think the fact that the noodles are yellow peas is the most interesting thing to me because it tastes just like the noodles that I use that are not yellow peas. It’s way healthier and I love pasta. They had mac and cheese, stuff that I normally eat that I would love to have made plant-based or healthy.”

2. Self-Care Sessions

Cooper takes self-care seriously (as she should!). “For me, that looks like working out, taking care of my body, eating healthy, getting my hair done, getting my nails done — looking cute,” she tells Blavity. “Taking pictures of myself, just doing stuff that makes me feel good.”

3. Hollywood Luxury Hair

Cooper is proud of Hollywood Luxury Hair, her hair and beauty brand. “I wanted to have a hair brand ever since I was in high school,” she tells Black America Web. I really wanted to be particular on the quality of the hair and the prices. I wanted it to be great quality but affordable because, you know, as an athlete, you sweat so much and you have to change your hair a lot. It’s actually hard to maintain natural hairstyles. I really wanted to have my own brand where I could also give back to the little girls growing up and the girls that wanted to have their own hair, or be endorsed by somebody with a hair company. I wanted to be that person.”

4. WNBA Inspirations

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Cooper is inspired by her fellow athletes. “Arike Ogunbowale, for sure,” she tells Black America Web. “She plays for the Dallas Wings and is killing the fashion this year. I love what she’s doing on and off the court. Flau’jae [Johnson] and Angel [Reese] — those my girls; they’re killing it! DiDi Richards is the other brand ambassador for my hair, and she’s killing it off the court and on the court. She played for the New York Liberty and she has her own podcast and talk show now with the WNBA, so that’s dope.”

5. Swimsuit Model

Cooper was thrilled to be a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model. “I’ve never taken a bikini picture,” she tells Blavity. “I don’t really take pictures in bathing suits. I kind of just wear ’em for the pool, so that was very different to have all those cameras on you, you in a bathing suit, you kinda gotta be sexy… They kind of just give you confidence that you can’t really deny in that moment ’cause you’re in front of the camera. So you got the water, the weather, the scenery, the bathing suit. You got people encouraging you. It was a great time for me. The group of women that I did it with were so amazing and we all had different stories, so I think SI highlighting each person and their story made it even more powerful.”

WNBA star and free agent Te'a Cooper has clearly learned to love swimsuit photoshoots since appearing in Sports Illustrated. Cooper, 26, enjoyed some downtime by hitting the pool, and shared the photos on her Instagram. The athlete can be seen posing in the water in a vibrant red bikini, completing the look with a beautiful blue necklace and dark sunglasses, her hair pulled into a ponytail. “Te’a SWIM WEEK 💦🫶 @target,” she captioned the post. “My girly,” commented fellow player Angel Reese. Here’s how Cooper stays fit, beautiful, and on top.

1. Vegan Diet

Cooper cooks her own meals as much as possible. “I recently just tried going vegan for a few months and it was great,” she says. “I felt great. My body felt great. I had a lot of energy. It’s just refreshing. This past year, I just started cooking regularly. I cook breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, so I’m just now getting into that. I guess you can really tell the difference more if you aren’t an athlete, but I really did feel the effect of eating vegan foods in the off-season. Energy-wise, during the day, when I’m not doing anything and I’m not sleepy without practicing stuff, I think that’s when I felt the difference more. It’s a huge difference, honestly.”

2. Sports Illustrated Model

Cooper is a Sports Illustrated model, and while she was surprised to be asked to take part, she was thrilled in the end. Being with her fellow athletes at the shoot in St. Thomas helped make her feel more comfortable. “When I got the call, I initially [thought], ‘Did they call the right person?’” she joked.“It kind of felt like I was getting ready for a game. It was really comfortable. I was super excited to just be with them and see them be out of their element, too. They are so empowering. They just really make you comfortable in your own skin.”

3. Embrace the Roller Coaster

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Cooper believes in embracing the journey, both ups and downs. “Everything’s not always gonna be up — it’s a roller coaster,” she says. “Sports teaches you the beauty of the ups and downs… I think for mental health purposes, enjoy that roller coaster. So, you know, things happen, but it always has a way of working out. So no matter where I am in life, I just feel like it’s gonna work out. Unfortunate things happen, but it’s like I’ve been there before, been down before, so I’m gonna be up soon, and I just kind of stay humble and stay in the middle and just stay steady, honestly.”

4. Fashion Forward

Cooper loves how the WNBA players are becoming known for their fashion as well as their skills. “I took the game day ‘fits very seriously,” she says. “I would say embracing your own style and confidently walking in your own style [is important]. How you see yourself and what you put out there — the evolution of you and just seeing your style grow — I think is the most interesting aspect of it. I love fashion and I definitely want to be on a runway someday!

5. Self-Care Is Self-Love

For Cooper, self-care is about a healthy lifestyle. “I think really, a lot of things are mental,” she says. “People think eating healthy is like you’re on a diet or you’re trying to lose weight when really it can be a lifestyle. Like you just wanna be cleaner, you just wanna be healthier mentally, physically, emotionally, and some of that has to do with your food. I think just focusing on yourself and making sure you feel good is the best advice I can give. Everybody’s story is different and everybody’s emotions are different, so my advice won’t help somebody who’s not me—but just taking care of yourself could help everybody.”