 Cunningham with theDetroit Pistons in 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| No. 2 – Detroit Pistons | |||||||||||||||
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| Position | Point guard | ||||||||||||||
| League | NBA | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (2001-09-25)September 25, 2001 (age 24) Arlington, Texas, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school |
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| College | Oklahoma State (2020–2021) | ||||||||||||||
| NBA draft | 2021: 1st round,1st overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Drafted by | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||
| Playing career | 2021–present | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
| 2021–present | Detroit Pistons | ||||||||||||||
| Career highlights | |||||||||||||||
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Stats at NBA.com  | |||||||||||||||
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Cade Parker Cunningham (born September 25, 2001) is an American professionalbasketball player for theDetroit Pistons of theNational Basketball Association (NBA). He attendedBowie High School in his hometown ofArlington, Texas, before transferring toMontverde Academy in Florida, where he was rated a consensus five-starrecruit and among the top players in the 2020 class by major recruiting services. As a senior, he led one of the best high school teams in history and receivednational player of the year recognition.
Cunningham committed to playingcollege basketball for theOklahoma State Cowboys, and was named a consensus first-teamAll-American andBig 12 Player of the Year after his freshman season with the team. He won a gold medal with theUnited States at the2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup. He was theNBA first overall pick by the Detroit Pistons in the2021 NBA draft. He was named as anNBA All-Star and to anAll-NBA Team for the first time in 2025.
Cunningham was born inArlington, Texas, to Carrie and Keith Cunningham.[1] He grew up playingfootball as aquarterback, which he believes helped him become a better passer and leader on the basketball court. He focused on basketball after watching his brother play the sport in college.[2] He frequently played basketball with his father and brother at arecreation center.[3] He played thepoint guard position for Barnett Junior High School in Arlington.[4] Since his childhood, he competed for the Texas Titans on theAmateur Athletic Union circuit alongside futureTCU playerMike Miles Jr.[5]
Cade Cunningham attendedBowie High School in Arlington. He became a starter on thevarsity team early in his freshman season. The team also featuredKyler Edwards.[4][6] Cunningham averaged 15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, helping Bowie reach the District 6A Region I final. He was subsequently named District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year.[7] In December 2017, early in his sophomore season, he suffered an injury while attempting todunk at a tournament inHouston.[8] Cunningham finished the season averaging 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. He was named District 4-6A co-most valuable player (MVP) and earned Texas Association of Basketball Coaches All-Region honors.[1][7][9]
Entering his junior year, Cunningham transferred toMontverde Academy, a school inMontverde, Florida with a successful basketball program. He chose Montverde, whose team was ranked number one in the country byUSA Today, for its academics and coaching.[10] On February 2, 2019, at the National Hoopfest tournament, Cunningham recorded 26 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in a 76–51 win againstOak Hill Academy, one of the top high school teams nationally.[11] By the end of his junior season, he was averaging 11.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.[12] Following the high school season, Cunningham was namedNike Elite Youth Basketball League (EYBL) MVP after averaging 25.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game for the Texas Titans in the EYBL regular season.[13] He was teammates withGreg Brown andMike Miles Jr. with the Titans.[14]
For his senior season at Montverde, he was joined by many more top recruits, including five-star forwardsScottie Barnes andDay'Ron Sharpe. Many analysts regarded his team as one of the best in high school basketball history.[15] Cunningham averaged 13.9 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game, leading Montverde to a 25–0 record with an average margin of victory of 39 points. He played only 22 minutes per game due to the depth of his team.[16] At the end of the season, Cunningham was honored asMr. Basketball USA,Naismith Prep Player of the Year, andMaxPreps National Player of the Year.[16][17] He was selected to play in theMcDonald's All-American Game,Jordan Brand Classic, andNike Hoop Summit, but all three games were canceled due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[18]
Cunningham emerged as a top-25 recruit in the 2020 class at the end of his sophomore season at Bowie. He was a consensus five-starrecruit and one of the best players in his class.[19] Cunningham received offers from topNCAA Division I programs includingDuke,Kentucky, andNorth Carolina, but many analysts viewedOklahoma State as his likely destination after the program hired his brotherCannen [pl] as an assistant coach.[20] On November 5, 2019, Cade Cunningham announced his commitment to Oklahoma State. He became the highest-ranked committed recruit in program history and the first five-star recruit to join Oklahoma State sinceMarcus Smart in 2012.[21] In June 2020, the NCAA imposed a postseason ban on Oklahoma State. Cunningham announced on June 22 that he would still play for the team.[22]
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cade Cunningham PG | Arlington, TX | Montverde Academy (FL) | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Nov 5, 2019 | |
Recruit ratings:Rivals:  247Sports: ESPN: (97) | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: Rivals: 1 247Sports: 1 ESPN: 2 | ||||||
Sources:
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In his college debut for Oklahoma State on November 25, 2020, Cunningham recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 75–68 win overUT Arlington.[23] On December 8, he scored 29 points, including 13 in the final 91 seconds, in an 83–78 victory overOral Roberts.[24] On December 12, Cunningham made a game-winning three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining to help defeatWichita State 67–64.[25] On February 27, 2021, he posted a career-high 40 points and 11 rebounds in a 94–90 overtime win againstOklahoma.[26] The performance helped him earn Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors.[27] Cunningham posted 25 points, eight rebounds, and five assists in an 83–74 upset win against top-seededBaylor in theBig 12 tournament semifinals on March 12, 2021.[28] As a freshman, he averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.[29]
After his freshman season, Cunningham was recognized as a consensus first-teamAll-American. He was the first Oklahoma State player to earn the distinction sinceBob Kurland (1944–46).[30] He became the fourth player to winBig 12 Player of the Year andBig 12 Freshman of the Year in the same season, joiningMarcus Smart,Kevin Durant, andMichael Beasley.[31] He was unanimously selected to the first-teamAll-Big 12, the All-Freshman Team, and the All-Newcomer Team.[32] Cunningham received major NCAA Division I freshman of the year honors, among them theWayman Tisdale Award,Sporting News Freshman of the Year, andNational Association of Basketball Coaches Freshman of the Year.[33][34][35]
On April 1, 2021, Cunningham announced that he would enter the2021 NBA draft and forgo his remaining college eligibility. Analysts regarded him as the consensusnumber one pick in the draft.[36]
Cunningham was drafted with thefirst overall pick of the2021 NBA draft by theDetroit Pistons.[37] He missed part of training camp, all of preseason, and five of Detroit's first six regular-season games due to an ankle injury.[38] In his NBA debut on October 30, Cunningham had two points, two assists, and seven rebounds in 18 minutes in a 110–103 win over theOrlando Magic. His two points were the fewest scored in a No. 1 pick's NBA debut sinceAnthony Bennett in 2013, who also had two points.[39] After five games, Cunningham posted his first 40-plus field-goal percentage, and he had an 18-point, 10-rebounddouble-double in his third NBA game.[38] On November 15, Cunningham became the youngest player in NBA history to tally at least 25 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists with five three-pointers in a game at 20 years, 51 days. He toppedLeBron James (20 years, 100 days) andTrae Young (20 years, 163 days).[40] On November 21, he notched atriple-double with 13 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 121–116 loss to theLos Angeles Lakers to become the eighth-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double and the youngest in Pistons history.[41]
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On January 25, 2022, Cunningham recorded 34 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, four blocks, and two steals in a 110–105 loss to theDenver Nuggets, joiningMichael Jordan as the only rookies in NBA history to post such a stat line.[42][43] He was named the NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in January.[44] Cunningham was named MVP of theRising Stars Challenge on February 18, 2022.[45] For the month of March, Cunningham averaged 22.9 points, 7.0 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game, becoming the first rookie since Michael Jordan to average those numbers over the course of a month.[46] After March 1, Cunningham averaged 21.2 points on 46.2 percent shooting and 6.7 assists per game for the rest of the season.[38]
He averaged a rookie-best 17.4 points, plus 5.6 assists and 5.5 rebounds, to finish the season. He became one of only 10 NBA players to average 17 points, five assists, and five rebounds in their rookie season, joiningLuka Dončić,Tyreke Evans, LeBron James,Steve Francis,Grant Hill, Michael Jordan,Magic Johnson,Alvan Adams, andOscar Robertson, becoming the only player other than Magic Johnson on that list to not winRookie of the Year.[47] He ultimately finished third in Rookie of the Year voting, behind winnerScottie Barnes andEvan Mobley, receiving a total of nine first-place votes.[48]
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On October 28, 2022, Cunningham scored a career-high 35 points alongside nine rebounds and eight assists in a 132–116 loss to theAtlanta Hawks.[49] On November 9, he was 1 of 11 from the field and finished with a season-low four points in a 128–112 loss to theBoston Celtics. It was the first time he had failed to reach double figures in 2022–23.[50] He did not play again following this game due to a stress fracture in his left shin.[51] On December 12, he was ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery. He finished with averages of 19.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and six assists, shooting 41.5% overall and 27.9% on three-point attempts in 12 games.[51]
In the2023–24 season opener on October 25, 2023, Cunningham had a game-high 30 points and nine assists in 103–102 loss to theMiami Heat. He had a last-second shot to win the game but it missed as time expired.[52] Three days later, he had 25 points and 10 assists in a 118–102 win over theChicago Bulls. The win saw the Pistons start the season with a 2–1 record.[53][54] On December 18, he scored a career-high 43 points in a 130–124 loss to theAtlanta Hawks.[55] On December 26, he scored 41 points in a 118–112 loss to theBrooklyn Nets. The loss saw the Pistons set an NBA single-season record with their 27th straight loss.[56] On December 28, he had 31 points and nine assists in a 128–122 overtime loss to theBoston Celtics. With a 28th straight loss, it tied for the longest losing streak in NBA history.[57] In the following game two days later, the Pistons ended their losing streak with a 129–127 win over theToronto Raptors, with Cunningham recording 30 points and 12 assists.[58] On January 7 against theDenver Nuggets, Cunningham had three points before leaving midway through the second quarter with a strained left knee.[59]
On July 10, 2024, the Pistons signed Cunningham to a five-year, $224 million contract extension.[60][61] On November 8, 2024, he put up a triple-double with 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 13 assists alongside a game-winning floater in a 122–121 win over theAtlanta Hawks.[62] He recorded a triple-double in his third consecutive game, tying him withGrant Hill (April 11–14, 1997) as the longest such streak in Pistons franchise history. It was his fifth career triple-double, tying him withIsiah Thomas for the second-most triple-doubles in Pistons franchise history.[63] On November 17, Cunningham put up a triple-double with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a 124–104 win over theWashington Wizards. It was his sixth career-triple double, surpassing Isiah Thomas for the most triple-doubles in Pistons franchise history.[64] On December 7, he had a triple-double with 29 points, a career-high 15 assists, and 10 rebounds in a 120–111 win over theNew York Knicks.[65][66] On December 16, he had his sixth triple-double of the season with 20 points, a career-high 18 assists and 11 rebounds in a 125–124 overtime win over theMiami Heat.[67]
On January 10, 2025, Cunningham had his 7th triple-double of the season in a 123–114 victory over theToronto Raptors. He had 22 points, 17 assists and 10 rebounds, and the win put the Pistons' season record back above .500.[68] He also surpassed Isiah Thomas for the most 15-assist triple-doubles in Pistons franchise history with three.[69] On January 30, Cunningham was named as reserve for the2025 NBA All-Star Game, his first selection.[70] Cunningham finished the regular season averaging 26.1 points, 6.1 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game in 70 contests. He joinedOscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to average 25+ points, 5+ rebounds and 9+ assists per game at age 23 or younger. Cunningham helped the Pistons make a 30-win improvement this season, earning a 44–38 record and the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.[71]
On April 19, 2025, Cunningham played his first postseason game against theNew York Knicks, recording 21 points, 12 assists, and 6 rebounds in a 112–123 loss.[72] The next day, in light of finishing the season with career high averages in points, assists, and efficiency, he was announced to be among the three finalists for theNBA Most Improved Player Award alongsideDyson Daniels of theAtlanta Hawks andIvica Zubac of theLos Angeles Clippers.[73] On April 19, in Game 4, Cunningham had 25 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for his first playoff triple-double and the third in franchise history in a 94–93 loss against the New York Knicks.[74] On 30 April, Cunningham finished third for theNBA Most Improved Player Award.[75] Detroit would go on to lose to New York in six games despite Cunningham's 23-point, 7-rebound, 8-assist and 3-steal outing in the 116–113 close-out loss in Game 6.[76]
On November 1, 2025, Cunningham tied a career-high with 18 assists, along with 21 points, six rebounds, and three steals, in a 122–110 win over theDallas Mavericks.[77] On November 10, Cunningham recorded his 12th career triple-double with a career-high 46 points, 12 rebounds, and 11 assists, along with five steals and two blocks, in a 137–135 overtime victory over theWashington Wizards, becoming the first player in NBA history to total 45+ points, 10+ rebounds, 10+ assists, and 5+ steals in a single game.[78][79] In this game, he would surpassKobe Bryant for most field goals missed in a single game, with 31 misses.[80]
Cunningham played for theUnited States at the2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup inHeraklion, Greece.[81] In seven games, he averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, helping his team win the gold medal.[82] In the finals, Cunningham led all scorers with 21 points, along with seven rebounds and seven assists, in a 93–79 win overMali.[83]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Detroit | 64 | 64 | 32.6 | .416 | .314 | .845 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 1.2 | .7 | 17.4 |
| 2022–23 | Detroit | 12 | 12 | 33.3 | .415 | .279 | .837 | 6.2 | 6.0 | .8 | .6 | 19.9 |
| 2023–24 | Detroit | 62 | 62 | 33.5 | .449 | .355 | .869 | 4.3 | 7.5 | .9 | .4 | 22.7 |
| 2024–25 | Detroit | 70 | 70 | 35.0 | .469 | .356 | .846 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 1.0 | .8 | 26.1 |
| Career | 208 | 208 | 33.7 | .446 | .339 | .853 | 5.4 | 7.4 | 1.0 | .6 | 22.1 | |
| All-Star | 1 | 0 | 5.4 | .667 | 1.000 | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 5.0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Detroit | 6 | 6 | 41.3 | .426 | .179 | .833 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 25.0 |
| Career | 6 | 6 | 41.3 | .426 | .179 | .833 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 25.0 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | Oklahoma State | 27 | 26 | 35.4 | .438 | .400 | .846 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 1.6 | .8 | 20.1 |
Cunningham's father Keith playedcollege football forTexas Tech University inLubbock.[84] His older brother Cannen Cunningham playedcollege basketball forSMU (Southern Methodist University) inUniversity Park, Texas, surpassing the school record for games played, before playing a season inPoland professionally.[85] Cannen later pursued a coaching career, becoming an assistant coach forOklahoma State University entering the 2019–20 season.[86] Cade Cunningham has a daughter named Riley, born in 2018.[87] He has been avegan since 2019.[88]
Cunningham is aChristian.[89] He has said, “… I know I’m blessed, and I just try to, you know, represent God’s light as much as I can and glorify Him with everything.”[90]
In November 2025, Cunningham re-signed withNike and reached a six year endorsement agreement where he would receive his own signature shoe with the brand. He would become the sixth active NBA player to have a signature shoe deal with Nike joiningLeBron James,Kevin Durant,Ja Morant,Devin Booker, andGiannis Antetokounmpo.[91]
Media related toCade Cunningham at Wikimedia Commons
