Key Highlights
- Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham opened up on Shannon Spake’s Sons & Daughters podcast about being teased during her youth for her tall and athletic build.
- Her mother, aunt, and grandmother encouraged her to embrace her size, teaching her that her physical presence would eventually become her greatest superpower.
- Cunningham channeled that physical strength into a multi-sport background and a record-breaking collegiate career at the University of Missouri before joining the WNBA.
Overcoming Childhood Teasing Through Family Support
Sophie Cunningham did not always feel comfortable with the physical traits that now define her presence as a professional athlete. During an appearance on the podcast Sons & Daughters, hosted by Shannon Spake, the Indiana Fever guard opened up about growing up taller and more strongly built than many peers her age. Cunningham revealed that she was frequently singled out during her childhood, even facing teasing for being bigger than some of the boys in her peer group.
The Missouri native grew up in an environment shaped by tall, athletic women. Her mother measures 1.78 meters tall, her aunt stands at 1.91 meters, and her grandmother is also 1.78 meters. Alongside her sister Lindsey, Cunningham used to hope that she would reach 1.83 meters in height. However, the peer reaction outside her household often clashed with her family environment.
“They made fun of me for being bigger, for being taller than the boys, for looking different from the other girls and for not being small, for having a more athletic build”
, she explained to Shannon Spake.
From Teasing to Athletic Strength: Advice That Redefined Her Perspective
Inside the Cunningham household, family members provided a distinct counterweight to the social pressures she faced. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother actively discouraged her from concealing her physical build. Instead, they continually reminded her that the traits setting her apart from other children would eventually serve as her biggest competitive edge.
“That is going to be your greatest superpower someday. Pull your shoulders back”
, Cunningham recalled about one of the pieces of advice she received from her family.
Guided by that reinforcement, Cunningham directed her size and strength into athletic pursuits. Throughout her youth and teenage years, she competed in a wide array of sports, including basketball, volleyball, track and field, and American football. Her athletic trajectory accelerated at Rock Bridge High School, where she developed into an elite basketball prospect before committing to the University of Missouri.
Embracing Identity and Thriving at the University of Missouri
During her reflection on her collegiate journey, Cunningham discussed the internal shift that took place when she gave up trying to conform to conventional social expectations. Fully embracing her identity allowed her to unlock her potential on and off the court.
“I think I really found my superpower when I stopped trying to be like everyone else. I simply was myself”
, she said as she recalled her decision to play at Missouri.
That shift propelled Cunningham to a historic career with the Missouri Tigers. Over four seasons, she became the all-time leading scorer in the program’s history, compiling 2,187 career points before entering the WNBA ranks. Throughout this evolution, she emphasized retaining both her athletic power and personal expression.
“Yes, I’m tall and maybe I’m not small, but I’m still strong. I want to wear heels. I want to be feminine. I want to be a badass on the court”
, she stated.
Why This Matters
Sophie Cunningham’s reflections highlight the evolving conversation surrounding body image, confidence, and self-expression in modern women’s sports. As the WNBA continues to reach wider global audiences, athletes are increasingly open about the disconnect between standard societal beauty norms and the functional physical strength required for elite athletic competition. By leaning into the advice passed down by generations of athletic women in her family, Cunningham turned former vulnerabilities into central pillars of her identity and career, reinforcing a message of self-acceptance for rising athletes navigating similar pressures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sophie Cunningham share about her childhood on the Sons & Daughters podcast?
Cunningham shared that she was frequently teased as a child for being taller, stronger, and more athletic than other girls, and for being bigger than many boys her age. She credited her mother, aunt, and grandmother with helping her realize that her physical attributes would eventually serve as her greatest advantage.
What records did Sophie Cunningham achieve at the University of Missouri?
Following a standout high school career at Rock Bridge High School, Cunningham played collegiate basketball for the University of Missouri Tigers, where she finished as the all-time leading scorer in program history with 2,187 points before moving on to the WNBA.
Which sports did Sophie Cunningham compete in while growing up?
Before focusing primarily on basketball, Cunningham competed in multiple sports during her childhood and adolescence, including American football, track and field, and volleyball.
