Sophie Cunningham is now one of the biggest names in the WNBA. But like any other star athlete, Sophie also had someone who helped shape her overall approach to the game.
For Cunningham, that person was not a big-name professional or a prominent figure in the sport. It was her older sister, Lindsey.
Back in 2015, Sophie made a surprising admission about the people who inspired her during her journey. Even as she emerged as one of Missouri's brightest basketball prospects, Sophie was not looking towards the WNBA for someone to emulate.
Instead, she found inspiration from someone who was already part of her life. According to Sophie, Lindsey has always been her only idol and the only person she looked up to in her career.
"This is going to sound bad, but I really did not have any role models outside of my sister," Sophie told Columbia Missourian.
"My work ethic, it came from her," she added, crediting her older sister. "I want her work ethic. I think I could be 10 times the player if I had her work ethic."
That honest statement was a remarkable compliment, especially knowing that Sophie would eventually rewrite Missouri's record books. However, Sophie was not done expressing how much Lindsey's mentorship and example meant to her.
Being the first to make it to Missouri's program, Lindsey had already experienced the challenges Sophie would eventually face as a player. By guiding Soph, the big sister gave her younger sister a valuable head start.
Their paths eventually converged at the University of Missouri, where Lindsey played before Sophie joined the Tigers in 2015. The older Cunningham's experience helped make the transition much easier for her younger sister, something Soph has always acknowledged.
"She's the guinea pig, pretty much," Sophie said of Lindsey. "She does everything, and then she tells me. That's why I'm here today. She seriously does everything for me, and then I just come in."
The elder Cunningham only averaged 4.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game during her stint with the Tigers. However, Sophie never based her admiration for Lindsey on the stats.
"I know she hasn't gotten the amount of awards I have, but honestly, she is the one who got me here," Sophie added.
It was no surprise that the praise and admiration were never a one-way street. Sophie has openly given Lindsey her flowers, and for her part, she never failed to acknowledge her younger sibling's dedication as well.
Lindsey has always been glad to see Sophie, who is often grateful to her. However, that didn't mean she had overlooked the work her baby sister put in to become the player she was.
"It means a lot that she credits me some, but she works just as hard," Lindsey humbly remarked.
That beautiful dynamic and mutual admiration reflected on the court during their time together at Missouri. Lindsey was a senior captain when Sophie arrived as a freshman. For two seasons, Lindsey took Sophie under her wing.
As a good pupil, Sophie soaked up the lessons she learned from Lindsey and turned them into a legendary college career. She became Missouri's all-time leading scorer with 2,187 points and established herself as one of the program's most accomplished players.
That same year, Sophie was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in the second round. In the WNBA, Cunningham gradually blossomed into a player known for her toughness and outside shooting.
Today, Sophie has become one of the biggest draws in the sport. Thanks to her sister and mentor, Lindsey.
Related: "Politics is downstream of culture" – Sophie Cunningham sends message after midterm results
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Nov 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
