Women’s National Basketball League: WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury’s Sophie Cunningham signs with Melbourne Boomers for 2019/20

Melbourne Boomers have kicked off their WNBL campaign with two very handy signings this week

Sophie Cunningham, seen here playing for the University of Missouri, is on her way to the Melbourne Boomers

The Melbourne Boomers have announced the signing of Phoenix Mercury guard Sophie Cunningham for the 2019/20 Women’s national Basketball League season.

The former University of Missouri player was selected with the 13th pick in the 2019 WNBA draft, the highest ever ranking achieved by the university, after amassing an astonishing 624 points for her college side last season.

The tenacious 22-year-old is full of excitement ahead of her first experience of playing at an overseas club.

“I’m really looking forward to playing with the Melbourne Boomers,” she said. “I’m coming out here to develop my game and I know that Boomers head coach Guy (Molloy) is a fantastic coach.

“I love my current Australian coaches and teammate at Phoenix, so I’m really looking forward to being part of the Boomers and learning more about Melbourne and the Australian culture.”

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Sophie Cunningham on her way to the basket

Molloy said he is confident Cunningham will have a significant impact both on and off the court next season.

“We did our homework on Sophie and we think she’s going to be a great addition to the side, she ticks all the boxes,” he said. “She’s a high-character, high-calibre player who can play as a guard or a small forward and really post some points on the board for us. We’re excited to have her.”

Cunningham will be joined by fellow American Lindsay Allen, who is returning to the Boomers after a barnstorming 2018/19 season that saw her cement herself as a fan favourite.

Registering 18 points (fifth in the league) and 5.3 assists (fourth) per game, while shooting at a 51 per cent, Allen was named to the WNBL team of the week on five occasions and won back-to-back player of the week gongs in Rounds 5 and 6.

Molloy knows just how significant the return of the WNBL All-Star 5 player will be for his side.

“Lindsay was a game-changer,” he said. “It was the first time the club had targeted an out-an-out point guard, in the past it’s been combination guards.

“We’re thrilled to have her back. She is a prized part of what we do.

“I have no doubt that Sophie and Lindsay will complement each other. They both come from the highest pedigree of US basketball, they’re young, energetic and dynamic players.”

Lindsay Allen will make a welcome return to the Melbourne Boomers. Picture: Lawrence Pinder