In the world of professional basketball, there are players who find their roles quickly, slot into rotations quietly, and provide solid contributions on both ends of the court. Then there are players who carry the flame of promise, players who don’t just fit into systems—they challenge them, redefine them, and evolve into critical components of team identity. Sophie Cunningham is becoming one of those players. As her game matures and her confidence blossoms, it’s becoming increasingly clear to many observers, fans, and insiders alike that Cunningham isn’t just another solid role player. She’s a potential cornerstone. She’s someone who, sooner rather than later, will be a lock in the Starting Five—and not as a filler, but as a defining piece.
Sophie Cunningham has always been a competitor. From her college days at Missouri, she carved out a reputation as a fiery, skilled, and determined presence on the floor. Her stat sheet alone couldn’t capture the edge she played with—the swagger, the grit, the toughness. It was always obvious she was built for more than just system roles; she had the mentality of a player who wants the ball in her hands, the responsibility on her shoulders, and the scoreboard tilted by her play. That competitive DNA hasn’t gone anywhere—in fact, it’s only intensified.
Fast-forward to her current trajectory in the WNBA, and Sophie is showing every sign of turning that potential into proven talent. She’s not just growing into the league—she’s beginning to impose herself on it. The confidence she exudes on the floor, the versatility she’s developing in her game, and the fire she brings on both ends are precisely why many believe she’s on track to be a permanent presence in the starting lineup. She has the tools, she has the attitude, and now, increasingly, she has the numbers to back it up.
What sets Sophie Cunningham apart isn’t just one skill. It’s a combination of factors that, when combined, make her the kind of hybrid player every coach dreams of. First, there’s her shooting. Cunningham has worked relentlessly on developing a consistent three-point shot, and she’s becoming a real threat from deep. In today’s game, floor spacing is everything, and having a wing or guard who can stretch the defense is non-negotiable. Cunningham fits the modern mold perfectly—someone who can keep defenders honest from beyond the arc while also having the physicality to slash and finish at the rim when needed.
But she’s not just a shooter. One of the most exciting developments in her game has been her defense. Sophie brings an edge to the defensive end that’s infectious. She plays with a chip on her shoulder, always seeming to take matchups personally. That kind of intensity fuels a team’s identity. She doesn’t back down. She’ll get in passing lanes, contest shots, fight through screens, and talk on defense—every team needs that kind of energy. It’s not just about stats; it’s about disrupting rhythm, making life uncomfortable for opponents, and being someone who can be trusted to lock in against some of the best offensive threats in the league.
Moreover, Cunningham brings an intangible quality that you can’t teach: leadership. Even when she isn’t the top scorer or playing the most minutes, her voice matters. She communicates, she motivates, and she leads by example. That’s the mark of someone who isn’t just trying to fit in but wants to elevate those around her. That’s someone who’s ready to be a foundational piece. It’s that combination of skill and personality that makes her such a compelling candidate for a permanent spot in the Starting Five.
There’s also something to be said about growth and development over time. Not every star in the league came in guns blazing. Some players blossom over the course of several seasons, refining their craft, understanding the pace and physicality of the league, and building their confidence brick by brick. Cunningham seems to be following that trajectory. Each season, she’s added layers to her game. Her shot selection has improved. Her decision-making with the ball is more polished. Her defense has gone from solid to tenacious. She’s learning the game at a deeper level, and it shows.
What also makes Cunningham’s case stronger is her adaptability. In a league where lineups change, styles evolve, and versatility is currency, Sophie has proven she can play multiple roles. She can slide between guard and forward positions depending on matchups. She can handle the ball, play off the ball, post up smaller defenders, or take bigger defenders outside. That kind of flexibility isn’t just a bonus—it’s often what separates good players from essential ones. Teams need players who can adjust on the fly, and Cunningham has shown that she can do just that.
It’s also important to look at the kind of impact she has when given the chance to start. On nights when she’s slotted into the starting lineup—due to injuries, matchups, or coaching strategy—Sophie often rises to the occasion. She plays with urgency, like someone determined to prove she belongs on that first unit permanently. And often, she does prove it. Her stats jump, her energy spikes, and you can see the way teammates feed off her presence. That’s not a coincidence. Some players are meant to come off the bench and provide a spark. Sophie Cunningham, it seems, is meant to set the tone from the opening tip.
Of course, no conversation about a player’s future role is complete without considering the team context. Coaches have tough decisions to make, balancing rotations, matchups, chemistry, and player development. But when it comes to Cunningham, the case is getting harder to ignore. Her ceiling is getting higher. Her game is becoming more complete. And most importantly, her impact is becoming more consistent.
Even beyond the Xs and Os, there’s a cultural component to having someone like Sophie Cunningham in the starting five. She brings an edge that teams need to survive in the grind of a long season. Every team needs a player who plays with fire, who sets the tone physically and emotionally, and who refuses to let their team go quietly. Cunningham has all of that. She brings identity. She brings passion. She brings the kind of presence that doesn’t just fill a role, but helps define it.
In many ways, Sophie’s rise is also a reflection of the modern WNBA player. The league is evolving rapidly—more athleticism, more spacing, more switching on defense, more positional fluidity. Players who can do multiple things well—who can shoot, defend, lead, and adapt—are the ones who thrive. Sophie Cunningham fits that profile perfectly. She’s not just a specialist. She’s not just a shooter, or a defender, or a competitor. She’s all of those things, and that’s exactly what makes her so valuable.
For those who have watched her closely, the signs have always been there. The confidence, the clutch play, the hustle, the voice in the huddle—it’s the stuff starting players are made of. And while there may still be steps to take and milestones to hit, it feels less like a question of if Sophie Cunningham will be a consistent starter and more like a matter of when. The smart money says it’ll be sooner rather than later.
In a league that demands versatility, toughness, and presence, Sophie Cunningham is proving she has all three. The belief in her is no longer just hype—it’s backed by performance, work ethic, and an ever-growing body of evidence on the court. Coaches see it. Teammates feel it. Opponents respect it. And fans are beginning to expect it.
It’s only a matter of time before Sophie Cunningham becomes not just a player on the rise, but a mainstay—a lock in the Starting Five. When that moment comes, no one will be surprised. Because if you’ve been paying attention, you already know: Sophie Cunningham is built for this.nt!
