KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Sophie Cunningham achieved a lifelong dream Saturday afternoon.
The former Mizzou women's basketball star made her WNBA regular-season debut with the Phoenix Mercury during a road game against the defending champion Seattle Storm.
Cunningham, a 6-foot-1 inch guard from Rock Bridge High School in Columbia, was scoreless in 12 minutes off the bench, but she grabbed three rebounds and blocked a shot in the Mercury's 77-68 loss.
She averaged 9.5 points in two preseason appearance after being a second-round pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft, No. 13 overall.
Cunningham is the highest-drafted Mizzou player in WNBA history and joins a Phoeniz roster loaded with talent.
That includes veteran guard Diana Taurasi, who has won three WNBA championships and the 2009 WNBA Most Valuable Player award.
Cunningham and the Mercury return to action May 31 for the home opener against the Las Vegas Aces.
