Sophie Cunningham Analyzes WNBA and NBA Layup Statistics
WNBA player Sophie Cunningham discusses layup performance differences between the two leagues during a podcast appearance.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Basketball
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Sophie Cunningham appeared on the podcast This Past Weekend to discuss statistical differences between the NBA and WNBA. She referenced layup data while also comparing her own playing style to that of NBA player Grayson Allen.
Why it matters
Understanding performance metrics across professional leagues provides insight into how physiological and gameplay variations affect scoring efficiency. These statistics help fans and analysts contextualize differences in playstyles between the two organizations.
WNBA players averaged 9.7 missed layups per 40 minutes during the 2026 season, while NBA players recorded 7.6 misses per 40 minutes during the 2025-2026 season. Players in the NBA average a height of 6 feet 6 inches compared to 6 feet in the WNBA.
The players
Sophie Cunningham
She is a professional WNBA player who appeared on the podcast This Past Weekend to discuss basketball analytics.
Grayson Allen
He is an NBA player whose playing style was identified by Sophie Cunningham as a comparison for her own.
Theo Von
He is a podcaster who hosted Sophie Cunningham on This Past Weekend and presented the layup statistics.
Caitlin Clark
She is a professional basketball player who was compared to Payton Pritchard by Reggie Miller during her February 2026 broadcasting debut.
Reggie Miller
He is a former professional basketball player and analyst who compared Caitlin Clark to Payton Pritchard.
The details
Theo Von presented ESPN play-by-play data showing that WNBA players averaged 9.7 missed layups per game, slightly higher than the 9.1 misses recorded by NBA players. The Berkeley Sports Analytics Group provided the average height metrics used to differentiate the leagues.
Timeline
The 2022-2023 NBA season recorded 101.6 possessions per game.
The 2023 WNBA season featured 96 possessions per game.
Caitlin Clark made her broadcasting debut on February 1, 2026.
The 2025-2026 NBA regular season captured current layup statistics.
The 2026 WNBA regular season captured current layup statistics.
Season Trajectory
These metrics reflect broader analytical shifts in basketball where front offices use play-by-play data to optimize shot selection. By analyzing these trends, leagues can better understand how height and pace impact the efficiency of high-percentage shots like layups.
The data highlights how different league paces, such as the 101.6 possessions per game in the NBA compared to 96 in the WNBA, influence raw error counts. Understanding these stats allows fans to better calibrate expectations for field goal percentage analysis in fantasy basketball.
The takeaway
Comparing performance across leagues requires accounting for structural differences in height and pace. Fans can use these figures to develop a more nuanced understanding of why specific shots are missed at different rates in professional basketball.
Further reading
For more on the analytical trends shaping the game, check out our Basketball coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by EssentiallySports.
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