Sophie Cunningham sends fiery message away from Indiana Fever during WNBA break | Sporting News
Sophie Cunningham may be away from the Indiana Fever, but she is not taking a break from firing up one of her favorite teams. With the WNBA season paused for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, Cunningham turned her attention to the Missouri Tigers. The former Missouri basketball star delivered an energetic message to students, alumni and fans as the school began another football season.
“Hey guys, Sophie Cunningham here,” Cunningham said in a video shared by Mizzou Athletics. “It is the start of a new football season. We are hyped, we are super excited. We’re about to kick some butt this year.
“So, come out, be loud and show your Mizzou pride. M-I-Z.”
It was a brief message, but it captured everything Missouri fans have come to expect from Cunningham. The Indiana guard remains outspoken, energetic and intensely loyal to the university where she became a college basketball star.
Sophie Cunningham’s Missouri connection remains strong
Cunningham grew up in Columbia, Mo., before remaining home to play for the Tigers from 2015 through 2019. She became one of the most accomplished players in Missouri basketball history, finishing her college career as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 2,187 points. Cunningham averaged 17.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists across 129 games.
She also became the first Missouri women’s basketball player to earn AP All-America honors and helped the Tigers reach four consecutive NCAA Tournaments.
Missouri formally recognized Cunningham’s impact by inducting her into its Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.
Her professional career has taken her away from Columbia, but Cunningham has continued to embrace her connection with the school. She frequently supports Missouri teams and has remained one of the university’s most recognizable athletic ambassadors.
Cunningham is currently in her eighth WNBA season and her second with Indiana. She has averaged 8.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 46.9 percent from the field across 39 games.
The Fever entered the league’s World Cup break with a 26-14 record and a third consecutive playoff appearance secured. Indiana has four regular-season games remaining when play resumes.
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Missouri football backs up Cunningham’s bold message
Cunningham predicted that the Tigers were ready to “kick some butt,” and Missouri immediately delivered. The No. 25 Tigers crushed Arkansas-Pine Bluff 54-14 in their season opener Thursday night.
Quarterback Austin Simmons completed 17 of 19 passes for 252 yards and four touchdowns in less than one half. Missouri built a 40-0 halftime advantage while holding Arkansas-Pine Bluff to only six yards of offense over the first two quarters.
The dominant victory came before Missouri’s 21st consecutive home sellout and marked the debut of Memorial Stadium’s renovated north end zone.
A much bigger challenge awaits Sept. 11, when the Tigers travel to face rival Kansas in the Border War. For one night, however, Missouri did exactly what Cunningham asked. The Tigers came out loud, showed their pride and kicked plenty of butt.