Tigers’ Cunningham named to Naismith Trophy watch list

COLUMBIA, Mo. – The Atlanta Tipoff Club announced 50 women’s college basketball players to watch for the Citizen Naismith Player of the Year Trophy on Wednesday, and Mizzou junior guard Sophie Cunningham is on the list.

“We are excited to announce 50 talented candidates vying to win the 2018 Women’s Citizen Naismith Trophy as we head into our 50th celebration season,” said Eric Oberman, executive director of the Atlanta Tipoff Club. “This upcoming season should be one to remember, and the journey to become the women’s top player of the year begins today.”

A list of the midseason 30 team will be released on Feb. 12, 2018. This marks the second consecutive season that Cunningham begins the campaign on the Preseason Watch List.

Cunningham has also been named to the John R. Wooden Award Women’s Preseason Top 30, an honor that goes to the nation’s top individual player. Additionally, she was recognized on the Cheryl Miller Award Watch List, which honors the nation’s top small forward. Cunningham was named Preseason First Team All-SEC.

She is averaging 17.8 points per game through Mizzou’s first six contests. Cunningham is the only player in the SEC shooting at least 50 percent from 3-point range, 80 percent from the free throw line and 50 percent from the field. She has reached double figures in 17 consecutive games dating back to last season and has 22 career 20-point performances.

In 2016-17, Cunningham averaged a team-best 17.5 points per game, which ranked fourth in the SEC. She led Mizzou in total points, points per game, assists per game, free throw percentage, field goal percentage and total field goals made for the season. Cunningham earned Associated Press All-America Honorable Mention recognition and First Team All-SEC honors after leading Mizzou to 22 wins, a third-place finish in the Southeastern Conference and a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance for the first time since 1985 and 1986. She steered Mizzou to wins in back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for the first time in program history.

— Mizzou Athletics —