Sophie Cunningham is a standout American professional basketball player currently playing as a guard for the Indiana Fever in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
Beyond her on-court prowess, she also serves as an analyst for the Phoenix Suns in the NBA and has made a name for herself as a model.
Known for her tenacity, competitive spirit, and sharpshooting skills, Sophie has carved out an impressive career that spans college stardom at the University of Missouri and a growing presence in the professional leagues.
Raised in a sports-oriented family, her journey is deeply intertwined with her siblings and their shared athletic legacy.
Siblings
Sophie has one older sister, Lindsey Cunningham, who also pursued basketball and played at the University of Missouri, following in the footsteps of their parents, Jim and Paula Cunningham, who were athletes themselves.
Lindsey, like Sophie, was part of the Missouri Tigers women’s basketball program, creating a sibling duo that brought pride to their hometown of Columbia.
After her basketball career, Lindsey transitioned into a different field and now works as a Farm Manager at Primus Farms in Williamsburg, Missouri.
College and WNBA career
Cunningham’s basketball career took root at the University of Missouri, where she played for the Tigers from 2015 to 2019.
During her four-year collegiate tenure, she established herself as one of the program’s all-time greats.
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Sophie became Missouri’s all-time leading scorer and the first women’s basketball player in school history to earn AP All-America honors.
Her senior season was particularly remarkable, as she averaged over 17.0 points per game, made 80+ three-pointers, sank 150+ free throws, and grabbed 200+ rebounds—stats unmatched by any other player in the nation that year.
Her college success catapulted her into the professional ranks when she was selected as the 13th overall pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury, making her the highest-drafted player in Missouri history and the eighth Tiger alum to join the league.
Sophie spent her first six seasons with the Mercury, showcasing her versatility and competitive fire alongside stars like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.
On January 31, 2025, she was part of a blockbuster four-team trade involving the Mercury, Dallas Wings, Connecticut Sun, and Indiana Fever, landing her with the Fever for the next chapter of her career.
Accolades
Sophie’s career is decorated with accolades that highlight her skill and impact on the game.
During her time at Missouri, she earned multiple honors, including the 2019 USBWA All-America Third Team distinction and the 2019 WBCA All-America Honorable Mention recognition.
She was a three-time All-SEC First Team selection, demonstrating her consistency in the competitive Southeastern Conference, and received AP All-America Honorable Mention honors in both her sophomore and junior seasons.
She also became the first Missouri player since 1994 to be named to the SEC All-Tournament Team.
In high school at Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, Sophie led her team to four state championships and was named a McDonald’s All-American, further solidifying her status as a prodigy.
In the WNBA, while she has yet to secure an All-Star nod, her contributions to the Mercury—including a career-high 23 points against the New York Liberty in 2022 and a historic 36-point, seven-rebound, five-steal performance against the Minnesota Lynx that same year—have earned her recognition as a rising talent.
Her 88.1% free-throw shooting percentage early in her professional career also led all rookies in 2019, showcasing her precision under pressure.
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