Robin Pingeton Head Coach | Curators of the University of Missouri
Robin Pingeton Head Coach | Curators of the University of Missouri
Former University of Missouri women's basketball player Sophie Cunningham began her seventh season in the WNBA on Thursday, making her debut with the Indiana Fever. Cunningham contributed nine points, six rebounds, and three assists in 20 minutes of play against the Atlanta Dream while returning from an ankle injury.
"She brings a level of energy that is huge and I think not playing in a couple games, not getting a chance to practice fully before getting back out there, I was just really proud of her for the energy she brought," said Cunningham's teammate Lexie Hull after the game. "She made some big plays down the stretch, getting steals and getting deflections. We needed her tonight. Just really proud of her coming out and being able to compete like that."
Cunningham has played in 183 career WNBA games and started 92 times, averaging 7.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. She joined Indiana this offseason after spending six seasons with the Phoenix Mercury.
During her collegiate career at Missouri from 2015-19, Cunningham became one of the program's most accomplished athletes. She averaged 17 points, 5.4 rebounds, and three assists over 129 games and led Missouri to four NCAA Tournament appearances. She received All-SEC honors each year from both the league office and Associated Press.
Cunningham holds several records at Missouri including all-time leading scorer (2,187 points) and all-time leader in free throws made (537). She also ranks second in three-pointers made (238), second in three-point percentage (.403), second in free throw percentage (.839), third in points per game (17), fourth in assists (390), fourth in field goals made (706), and eighth in field goal percentage (.501).
A graduate of Rock Bridge High School, Cunningham was named a McDonald's All-American in 2015 and helped lead her team to four Class 5 state titles. In addition, she was selected as the USA Today Gatorade Missouri Girls Basketball Player of the Year for 2014.
Recently, Cunningham was announced as a member of Missouri's Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame class for 2025.
Season tickets for the Missouri Tigers women's basketball team's upcoming season are now available starting at $65. Current ticket holders can renew through their Mizzou Tigers ticket account.
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