Scouting Report: Cade Cunningham

By: Zach Blaine

When talking about a unanimous number one overall pick, there are usually similarities amongst the young men. Coachable, decorated and of course, talented. Cunningham all but exceeds these certain adjectives as his ceiling is as high as he would like it to be. Cade is from Arlington, Texas and he played his high school basketball at the powerhouse that is Montverde Academy. Montverde has produced the likes of RJ Barret, Ben Simmons and D’Angelo Russell, who all coincidentally went top 3 in the draft. A presumed one and done out of Oklahoma State, Cunningham is 6’8 point guard. His pace is unbelievable as you can’t speed him up or slow him down. Always under control, Cunningham can see over the top of a defense with ease. Like they say, you can’t teach height.

Cunningham was an unanimous All-American and the National Player of the Year. Cade was voted the Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year. He averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game this season for the Cowboys.

The Detroit Pistons hold the Number 1 pick in the draft and all signs point to Cunningham being the future for the storied franchise. Alongside Saddiq Bey, Isaiah Stewart and Jerami Grant, the Pistons have a nice young core that could blossom into a playoff contender down the road.

Player Comparison:

It is unfair and a little difficult to compare a top rated prospect to an NBA player because the brain immediately goes to superstars. However, everything Cade Cunningham has put on tape screams superstar. His body usage and passing ability is very much like Luka Doncic, as he sees the floor and both players play with a unique pace. This comparison is beat to death but it exists because it well, makes sense. His offensive game in terms of ways to score and shooting prowess is more like Jayson Tatum. There is also some of Penny Hardaway in his game.

The comparisons to NBA greats could go one forever but Cade Cunningham seems to be next up.