Show Me Something – Episode 36: Sophie Cunningham’s Top 4 Players in the 2026 WNBA Draft, CBA Negotiations, March Madness Preview

Date: March 12, 2026
Hosts: Sophie Cunningham, Wes Wilson, Kevin
Podcast: iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, WNBA star Sophie Cunningham, her co-host Wes Wilson, and producer Kevin dive deep into Sophie’s top picks for the 2026 WNBA Draft, share the latest on tense CBA negotiations, and dish out a spirited March Madness preview. The trio also explores the evolution of training in pro sports, the quirks of the draft process, the influence of the NBA on the WNBA, hot gym takes, and even a few juicy side conversations about DM etiquette and celeb news. From locker room insights to personal fitness philosophies, the group keeps things real, funny, and insightful—giving listeners a front-row seat to the news and locker-room banter shaping women’s basketball right now.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Sophie Cunningham’s Top 4 Players in the 2026 WNBA Draft

Timestamps: 02:24, 14:03, 15:41

• Sophie’s Draft Standouts:
  • Azzi Fudd (Connecticut): “Az Fudd from Connecticut is clearly going to be on everyone's [radar]. Everyone wants her, as they should. I think that she is very dynamic. She can shoot. She's a smart player. She's a team player.” (14:03)
  • UCLA’s Big: “If I were on a team that needs a big, I would get the UCLA girl... She has a lot of potential. She… needs some work, but great body, great feel for the game.” (02:52, 15:41)
  • Olivia Miles (TCU): “Olivia Miles, who was at Notre Dame, now at TCU. She's going to be pretty good.” (02:54, 14:13)
  • Flau’jae Johnson (LSU): “Flage from LSU. She's also a rapper, too, so that could be kind of fun. I think she has it... if she gets the right fit, she could be really freaking good in the pros.” (03:15, 14:32)
• Sophie on College to Pros Transition:
  “It is so weird because people who dominate in college… it's just so different. The college and pros are so, so different. But I do think that if she gets the right fit, she could be really freaking good in the pros. All of them could.” (14:57)

Notable Quote:

“If I had the top pick… I think AZ would be good. I think that she is very dynamic… But I also think, like, if I were on a team that needs a big, I would get the UCLA girl...”
– Sophie (15:41)

2. WNBA CBA Negotiations – Urgency and Tension

Timestamps: 08:52–10:13

• Key Update:
  “Today is March 10th. This is like the day that there has to become an agreement or… season gets pushed back. If both sides stop negotiating, then that's when a lockout would come about. Which… we're hoping that doesn't happen.” (08:54)
• Frustration with the Process:
  “If they get the deal done today, great. Everyone will be happy. Right? But it also would kind of make me mad because since they know that it is today, they could have been this urgent all along. You know what I mean?” (09:37)
• Draft Impact:
  “Does that fuck up the draft, dude? …It's all dependent on our CBA… our start time… the compensation… it all is so dependent on it.” (10:09)

Notable Quote:

“Since they know that it is today, they could have been this urgent all along.”
– Sophie (09:37)

3. How the Draft Works – Challenges and Realities

Timestamps: 11:45–12:49; 13:01

• Sophie on Roster Realities:
  “The Draft is weird because people don't really stick. So, like, your top five, maybe two of them stick. Like, it's just so weird.”
• Opportunity Matters:
  “It's all about opportunity and if that team needs what that player gives. It's very weird.”
• Comparing Career Paths:
  “Even if you're not in the WNBA or NBA, your professional career is still very much a thing possible. …Some will go pro, some will go overseas.” (12:53–13:01)

Notable Quote:

“People who dominate in college, you have to be able to figure out your role ... It's just so different. The college and pros are so, so different.”
– Sophie (14:57)

4. March Madness & College/Pro Basketball Trends

Timestamps: 10:55–11:33; 16:08–20:37

• Hot Take on Player Types:
  “A lot of teams are going non-traditional bigs anymore. So you want, like, stretch fours who can shoot... A lot of people don't have traditional post players.” (16:17)
• Bigs in the Modern Game:
  “Unless you're, like, super dominant down low... Nowadays your big people even need to know how to handle the ball and need to shoot. That's how the game is trending. NBA is already there.” (18:48)
• NBA Trends in the WNBA:
  Kevin: “Do you find trends kind of trickle down to the W?”
  Sophie: “Yeah, I think naturally they happen. …Our coaches and… front office, they see what works in the NBA and they naturally want to use that… If a W team is doing something that was working 20 years ago… and then you have a fresh new mindset… it's working. You're getting it from the NBA.” (19:11-20:37)
• Caitlin Clark’s (Cece’s) Impact:
  “Cece is what Steph Curry was. …You could argue now will change the W.” (19:34)

5. Athlete Training & Cross-Training Philosophies

Timestamps: 06:09–07:50

• Pilates’ Rising Influence:
  “The last kind of couple years Pilates has really… become a thing [in the WNBA]. I get in like four or five times a week… I've seen my body make a little difference.”
• Sophie's Training Advice:
  “I think kids nowadays choose one sport and that’s all they do. Where it's like, dude, look at collegiate athletes. Look at the pros—we are cross-training. People do ballet, yoga, mountain biking, swimming... it is so important because then you just use other muscles that you normally wouldn't in your sport.” (07:29)

Notable Quote:

“Herschel Walker and Barry Sanders both did ballet. They're like generational greats. Maybe we're all just sleeping on the [crossover training].”
– Wes (07:50)

6. Sports Headlines & Pop Culture Sidebars

Timestamps: 21:00–23:05; 46:51–48:48

• NBA & Pop Culture Moments:
  • Atlanta Hawks’ canceled “Magic City Night” after controversy
    “The NBA pulled the plug and said, Atlanta can't do it. So Atlanta had to post a thing saying… the NBA gets final say, blah, blah, blah.” – Kevin (22:08)
  • Travis Kelce returns to the Chiefs, Kenneth Walker signs, and free agency news (23:05)
• World Baseball Classic Drama:
  • Players snub teammates on national teams:
    “Apparently Rosarina went up to shake his hand, said ‘good to see you’, and Cal Raleigh said, ‘shove it up your ass.’” (47:17)
  • Sophie’s take: “You would dap. You would dap her up before the game, dude. Absolutely. We'd probably go get dinner the night before.” (44:58)

7. Hot Girl of the Week Segment

Timestamps: 27:53–30:09

• Kevin's pick: Tess (@LambChop), TikTok chef and friend—praised for her cooking, coolness, birthday, and recent engagement.
• Sophie’s pick: Taylor, her Pilates instructor—credited for her tough training sessions and positive impact: “She kicks my ass and I feel so good.”

8. Gym & DM Etiquette, Social Dynamics

Timestamps: 38:10–42:00

• On Sliding Into DMs:

  • Wes: “So Team USA hockey hero Jack Hughes and pop singer Tate McRae are exclusive. He slid in the DMs and it worked out…” (31:51)
  • Sophie’s stance: “I'm not opposed to sliding in the DMs. Slide in those DMs.” (38:17)
  • Kevin: “I'm pro DM sliding. There's no harm. Just don't be weak, don't be creepy, don't be a weirdo. Actually... wait for the moment you have something in common with somebody.” (35:20)

• Gym Flirting – Big No-No:

  • “Even guys who try to like be friends at the gym. I'm like, don't fucking talk to me. …I see so many guys hit on girls at the gym, and I'm like, leave her the fuck alone, dude.” – Kevin (38:47)
  • Sophie: “I think I like more of a grimy gym... You can like sweat... It's not sexualized. Everything is so sexualized here.” (40:07)

9. Inspirational Recovery: Jason Tatum’s Return

Timestamps: 46:51–48:48

• Jason Tatum’s Comeback:
  • Wes: “Jason Tatum made his return over 290 days. Former Tornado… 15 points in the comeback. Played 27 minutes and they won.”
  • Kevin: “Any Missouri athlete will get nothing but love and support on this podcast. …I get nervous. Achilles.”
  • Sophie: “It's really cool to see anyone come back from an injury… Just the grind of rehab and all that. Like, yeah. Congrats. It's cool.” (47:51)

Notable Quote:

“He loves St. Louis. Oh, yeah. He would die for St. Louis… He is so pure.”
– Kevin (48:48)

Memorable Quotes & Light Moments

• On Pilates:
  “You're doing Pilates five times a week?”
  “Kind of more four. But I try to get five in if I'm here...I've seen my body make a little difference. You should get into it.”
  – Kevin & Sophie (06:35)

• On Cross-Training:
  “It is so important because then you just use other muscles that you normally wouldn't in your sport.”
  – Sophie (07:29)

• On Gym Culture:
  “It is like, people don't even work out. Everything is just like, show how big your ass is... I think I like more of a grimy gym...”
  – Sophie (39:43, 40:07)

• On Draft Realities:
  “People don't really stick. So, like, your top five, maybe two of them stick.”
  – Sophie (11:46)

• On DM Etiquette:
  “Wait for the moment you have something in common with somebody... and then you're, like, not being a creepy fucking weirdo.”
  – Kevin (35:20)

Episode Flow: Segment Timestamps

• (02:24) – Sophie’s WNBA draft favorites
• (06:09) – Pilates and athlete training talk
• (08:52) – CBA negotiations update
• (11:45) – Draft philosophy and roster realities
• (14:03; 15:41) – Extended draft analysis and Sophie’s Top 4
• (16:08–20:37) – March Madness preview, basketball trend analysis
• (21:00–23:05) – Headlines: NBA’s Magic City night, Chiefs updates
• (27:53–30:09) – Hot Girl of the Week
• (31:51; 35:20; 38:17) – DM etiquette and social dynamics
• (38:47; 40:07) – Gym takes and fitness culture
• (46:51–48:48) – Jason Tatum’s Achilles recovery

Summary Takeaway

This episode is a must-listen for basketball fans, behind-the-scenes junkies, and anyone interested in the real-life journeys of pro athletes. Sophie pulls back the curtain on draft day hype, shares timely CBA insights, and dishes wise, down-to-earth advice on training and sports transitions. Lighter segments on DMs, food, and gym culture—as well as their signature “Hot Girl of the Week”—round out a genuinely fun and informative conversation that captures the heart and hustle of women’s sports today.