Cunningham Scores 30 Points Despite Booing Crowd in Toronto

Sophie Cunningham squared her shoulders and donned a hard hat before stepping onto Canadian soil for the first time on Tuesday night. That right, she crossed into Canada. Specifically, she headed to Toronto. What a patriot indeed. Going North of the Border can feel like venturing into the Wild Wild West sometimes. I love Canadians because they are genuinely nice people. But politics up there remain unpredictable and you never know what kind of reception awaits anyone who travels across that line.

Cunningham faced merciless boos every single time she touched the basketball during Tuesday's game. This presumably happened because she stated men do not belong in girls' locker rooms. She responded to the noise by sinking all three of her 3-point shots and helping the Fever secure a 101-95 victory over the Tempo Storm.

After the final buzzer sounded, she made sure to shout out the Toronto crowd without being asked for it. Instead of crying about the treatment they gave her, she embraced the situation with open arms. She represents a breath of fresh air in this league right now. Another win for Sophie Cunningham stands as proof that she keeps moving forward regardless of the noise.

I want to shout out the Tempo crowd and the city, she told reporters afterward. We've had so much fun. The crowd was absolutely amazing. I think that's what sports is all about. You're going to get boos and you're also going to get cheers. That simple truth often gets lost in today's heated atmosphere.

Cunningham also made some interesting comments directly after the game ended. The Big Three are going to do their thing every night, she said with a clear plan. Like I said, I'm just gonna come, have some fun, maybe inspire some young girls to come beat me one day. She acts like such a normal person and that is becoming increasingly rare in our world right now. Especially when you look at the WNBA environment today.

Do not think I did not notice that little smirk right after she said those words. I noticed it clearly. We all noticed it too. There was zero BS involved in her actions or her statements just pure DAKICH energy. Take the Dont @ Me podcast on the road and download it now if you want more of this perspective.

Back to the crowd situation itself, it is amazing that they were apparently so offended by what she said that they felt compelled to boo her on every play. Again, here is the context from a month ago where Sophie told ESPN about getting negative feedback regarding her views on transgender athletes. I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans and I'm like I never once said that. I think that I am here to extend love but with that love comes truth and being honest. And I want to protect young girls in a locker room or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men.

That is the entire reason the Tempo crowd booed Sophie Cunningham every time she touched the ball last night. That explains why the Minnesota coach wore a Trans Kids Belong shirt back when the Lynx played the Fever just a month ago. Because Sophie Cunningham said she wanted to protect young girls in a locker room from biological men competing against them.

Amazing really what a time we are living in right now. Take your boo-birds and shove it into the wind, Toronto! Sophie has another three shots left to drill tonight if she wants them.