Overview
- The claim began with a viral BrickCenter tweet that outlets identified as satire.
- A real Instagram story from Michael Porter Jr. showed a photo including Sophie Cunningham with the '573' Missouri area code visible.
- Both athletes are from Columbia, Missouri, and Porter has said he grew up with Cunningham.
- The Sporting News and EssentiallySports reported the local context and refuted the dating allegation.
- No verified evidence supports a romantic relationship beyond long-time friendship, though some coverage labeled the topic as developing.