Highlights
- Sophie Cunningham’s WNBA success stems from her parents, Jim and Paula Cunningham, both former University of Missouri athletes who nurtured her competitive fire from age five.
- Paula’s hands-on involvement, from rebounding late-night shots to teaching precision through farm games, provided Sophie with both technical skills and emotional grounding.
- The Cunningham family’s multi-generational athletic legacy and Missouri farm roots shaped Sophie into the “feisty, scrappy” player known for her infectious charisma and intensity.
Sophie Cunningham, currently playing for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, has become a household name in women’s basketball.
Her aggressive playing style, infectious charisma, and deep-rooted Missouri ties have earned her a loyal fan base.
But behind her remarkable success lies a foundational support system, Sophie Cunningham’s parents, Jim and Paula Cunningham.
Sophie Cunningham Was Inspired By Her Parents’ Athleticism
Understanding Sophie Cunningham’s journey isn’t complete without examining her parents.
Both Jim and Paula were standout athletes at the University of Missouri, setting the stage for Sophie’s rise in sports.
Sophie’s father, Jim Cunningham, played football for Mizzou, bringing physicality and grit to the family’s athletic DNA.
Likewise, Sophie’s mother, Paula Cunningham, was a track star at Mizzou and came from a long line of sportswomen.
Paula’s own mother, Elizabeth “Sissy” Primus, played six-on-six basketball and even competed on boys’ baseball teams.
Their shared athletic legacy was passed down to their daughters, Lindsey and Sophie.
Sister Lindsey also played college basketball at Mizzou, and Sophie followed suit, eventually becoming the face of the women’s program.
When you consider Sophie Cunningham’s parents and their sports pedigree, her success feels almost inevitable.
Mother Paula Cunningham Was Instrumental In Her Childhood
The Cunningham household in West Columbia had a steep driveway, unsuitable for a traditional basketball hoop, but that didn’t stop the family from turning it into a training ground.
Sophie and Lindsey played countless hours of basketball there, often arguing about whether shots hit the lone white brick above the garage.
While the setup was far from regulation, it shaped Sophie’s shot precision and mental toughness.
Sophie’s parents, especially Paula, were constant presences in her development.
When Sophie wanted to get extra shots up at Mizzou Arena late at night, Paula showed up to rebound, even though a machine could have done the job.
For Sophie, the rebounder wasn’t just about the basketballs returning; it was about having her mom close by.
She Also Enjoyed Life On the Farm
Sophie Cunningham’s mother, Paula’s side of the family, owns a 2,500-acre farm in eastern Columbia.
There, Sophie spends time riding horses and escaping the pressure of the game.
Her connection to the land gave her a rare emotional balance that many elite athletes lack.
Sophie’s grandmother, affectionately called “Maw-Maw,” was instrumental in teaching her accuracy.
A lawn chair and a softball were all it took.
If Sophie missed the target, she had to chase the ball down, learning precision the hard way.
This family tradition began with Paula and continued with Sophie, a simple game that became a metaphor for discipline.
Parents Shaped A Powerhouse Through Competitive Nature
At five years old, Sophie Cunningham was already competing with older kids, and her parents often had to carry her birth certificate to prove her age.
Jim and Paula nurtured that fire rather than tempering it. They never discouraged her aggression or competitiveness, seeing it as fuel.
Sophie’s parents passed on athletic talent and instilled a blue-collar mindset.
Paula, especially, admired how her daughter played:
“Feisty, scrappy, and going all-out the entire game.”
That fire came naturally to Sophie, but it was sharpened and supported by her parents every step of the way.
