Cade Cunningham
Born 2001 · Age 24
American professional basketball player; No.1 pick in 2021 NBA Draft, playmaker for the Detroit Pistons, 2025 NBA All-Star and All-NBA selection.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Arlington, Texas
Cade Parker Cunningham was born to Carrie and Keith Cunningham in Arlington, Texas.
Played point guard at Barnett Junior High
Played the point guard position for Barnett Junior High School in Arlington, developing early ball-handling and leadership.
Competed for Texas Titans (AAU)
Competed on the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit for the Texas Titans alongside future Division I players.
Became varsity starter at Bowie High School (freshman)
Early into his freshman season at Bowie High School he became a starter and averaged 15.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists; named District 4-6A Newcomer of the Year.
Sophomore injury while attempting dunk
Suffered an injury during a tournament in Houston attempting to dunk (December 2017); still finished the season as District 4-6A co-MVP.
Became a father (daughter Riley born)
Has a daughter named Riley, born in 2018 — a personal milestone that has shaped his life and priorities.
Transferred to Montverde Academy
Entered junior year transfer to Montverde Academy (FL), joining the nation's No. 1 high school program for academics and coaching.
Adopted a vegan diet
Became a vegan in 2019 as part of his health and performance regimen.
Consensus five-star recruit / top-25 nationally
Rated a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top players in the 2020 class by major recruiting services.
Standout win vs Oak Hill at Hoopfest
Recorded 26 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in a 76–51 win over Oak Hill Academy (Feb 2, 2019).
Brother Cannen joins Oklahoma State staff
Older brother Cannen Cunningham joined the Oklahoma State coaching staff as an assistant entering the 2019–20 season.
Won gold at 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup
Played for USA at the FIBA U19 World Cup in Heraklion, Greece; averaged 11.7 points, 5.7 assists and 4.9 rebounds; scored 21 points in final vs Mali.
Named Nike EYBL MVP
After EYBL regular season play with the Texas Titans, was named EYBL MVP, averaging 25.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 5.2 APG.
Committed to Oklahoma State
Announced commitment to Oklahoma State (Nov 5, 2019); was the highest-ranked recruit in OSU history and the first five-star at OSU since Marcus Smart (2012).
High school national player of the year honors (senior)
As a senior at Montverde (2019–20) led team to 25–0 and received Mr. Basketball USA, Naismith Prep Player of the Year and MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors.
McDonald's All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, Nike Hoop Summit selections canceled
Selected for major all-star high school games (McDonald's, Jordan Brand, Nike Hoop Summit) that were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Remained committed to Oklahoma State despite postseason ban
Following the NCAA-imposed postseason ban on Oklahoma State, announced June 22, 2020 he would still play for the program.
College debut: double-double vs UT Arlington
In Oklahoma State debut (Nov 25, 2020) recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 75–68 win over UT Arlington.
29 points vs Oral Roberts
Scored 29 points, including 13 points in final 91 seconds, leading Oklahoma State to an 83–78 victory (Dec 8, 2020).
Game-winning 3 vs Wichita State
Hit a game-winning three with 11 seconds remaining to beat Wichita State 67–64 (Dec 12, 2020).
First consensus AP All-American at Oklahoma State since 1940s
Became the first Oklahoma State player named consensus first-team All-American since Bob Kurland (1944–46).
Career-high 40 points vs Oklahoma
Posted a career-high 40 points and 11 rebounds in a 94–90 overtime win (Feb 27, 2021); earned Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week honors.
Consensus first-team All-American & major freshman awards
Recognized as consensus first-team All-American and received Wayman Tisdale Award, NABC Freshman of the Year and Sporting News Freshman of the Year following freshman season.
Big 12 Player of the Year & Freshman of the Year
Named Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Freshman of the Year (Mar 8, 2021); unanimously selected to first-team All-Big 12.
Declared for 2021 NBA Draft
Announced he would enter the 2021 NBA draft and forgo remaining college eligibility (Apr 1, 2021).
Selected No. 1 overall in 2021 NBA Draft
Drafted first overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 NBA draft (July 29, 2021). Third No.1 pick in Pistons history.
NBA debut
Made NBA debut for the Detroit Pistons on Oct 30, 2021: 2 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in 18 minutes vs Orlando Magic.
Youngest to tally 25/8/8 with five 3s
On Nov 15, 2021 became the youngest player in NBA history to post at least 25 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists with five made threes (20 years, 51 days).
Recorded first NBA triple-double (youngest in Pistons history)
Notched a triple-double (13 pts, 12 reb, 10 ast) on Nov 21, 2021 — eighth-youngest in NBA history and youngest in Pistons history.
Historic rookie statline (34 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast, 4 blk, 2 stl)
On Jan 25, 2022 posted 34 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 blocks and 2 steals — joined Michael Jordan as the only rookies to post that stat line.
Named NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month (Jan games)
Recognized as the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games in January (announcement Feb 2, 2022).
MVP of Rising Stars Challenge
Named MVP of the revamped Rising Stars Challenge on Feb 18, 2022 during NBA All-Star Weekend.
Historic monthly rookie averages (March)
In March 2022 averaged 22.9 PPG, 7.0 APG and 5.9 RPG — first rookie since Michael Jordan to average those numbers over a month.
Finished rookie season with strong counting stats & ROY voting
Averaged 17.4 PPG, 5.6 APG, 5.5 RPG as a rookie; finished third in Rookie of the Year voting (April 2022).
Career-high 35 points (2022–23 season opener note)
Scored a career-high 35 points on Oct 28, 2022 in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks early in the 2022–23 season.
Left season after stress fracture; surgery
On Nov 9, 2022 suffered a stress fracture in his left shin, and on Dec 12, 2022 was ruled out for the rest of the season after surgery.
Returned from injury — season opener 30 points
In the 2023–24 season opener (Oct 25, 2023) recorded a team-high 30 points and nine assists in a 103–102 loss to the Miami Heat.
25 points and 10 assists vs Bulls
Three days after the season opener, posted 25 points and 10 assists in a 118–102 win over Chicago (Oct 28, 2023).
Career-high 43 points vs Hawks
Scored a career-high 43 points (Dec 18, 2023) in a 130–124 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
41 points during Pistons' record losing streak
Scored 41 points in a 118–112 loss to the Brooklyn Nets (Dec 26, 2023), during Pistons' single-season losing-streak record run (27th straight loss).
Ended 28-game losing streak with 30 & 12
Recorded 30 points and 12 assists in a 129–127 win over Toronto to end Pistons' record-tying 28-game losing streak (Dec 30, 2023).
Strained left knee
Left a game on Jan 7, 2024 with a strained left knee and missed subsequent games with knee management issues.
Reached 2,500 career points & 800 assists (sixth-fastest)
On March 7, 2024 became the sixth-fastest player to reach 2,500 career points and 800 career assists (career game No. 128).
Fastest Piston to 1,400 points & 450 assists in a season
On Apr 1, 2024 became the fastest Piston to reach 1,400 points and 450 assists in a season (62 games), one game faster than Dave Bing.
Signed 5-year, $224M extension with Pistons
On July 10, 2024 signed a five-year, $224,000,000 contract extension with the Detroit Pistons.
Triple-double with game-winner vs Hawks
Recorded a triple-double (22 pts, 11 reb, 13 ast) and a game-winning floater in a 122–121 win over Atlanta (Nov 8, 2024).
Became Pistons' franchise leader in triple-doubles
Posted a triple-double (21/10/10) on Nov 17, 2024 to pass Isiah Thomas for most triple-doubles in Pistons history.
Triple-double with career-high 15 assists
On Dec 7, 2024 posted a triple-double: 29 points, career-high 15 assists and 10 rebounds vs the New York Knicks.
18-assist triple-double vs Heat
Recorded his sixth triple-double of the season with 20 points, career-high 18 assists and 11 rebounds in a 125–124 OT win vs Miami (Dec 16, 2024).
Named All-NBA Third Team (2025)
Earned All-NBA Third Team honors for the 2024–25 season (2025).
7th triple-double of 2024–25 season
On Jan 10, 2025 had 22 pts, 17 ast and 10 reb in a win over Toronto — his 7th triple-double of the season and surpassed Isiah Thomas for 15-assist triple-doubles in franchise history.
Named 2025 NBA All-Star (reserve)
Named a reserve for the 2025 NBA All-Star Game — his first All-Star selection (announced Jan 30, 2025).
First NBA playoff game and triple-double in playoffs
Played his first postseason game Apr 19, 2025 vs the New York Knicks (21 pts, 12 ast, 6 reb); also had a 25/10/10 triple-double in Game 4 (first playoff triple-double in Pistons history since franchise examples).
Finalist for NBA Most Improved Player
Named one of three finalists for the 2024–25 NBA Most Improved Player Award (Apr 20, 2025).
Finished third in NBA Most Improved Player voting
On Apr 30, 2025 finished third in the Most Improved Player Award voting.
Game 6 (playoff closeout) — career postseason performance
Scored 23 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists and 3 steals in Game 6 loss that ended Pistons' first-round series vs Knicks (May 1, 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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