Prior to playing at Oklahoma State last season,
Cade Cunningham was the catalyst for one of high school basketball's all-time great teams at
Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.). The Texas native earned 2019-20 MaxPreps National Player of the Year honors, joining a list that includes Ben Simmons, Michael Porter Jr. and R.J. Barrett.
Cunningham averaged 13.9
points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per contest while shooting 59.2 percent from the field and 47.7 percent from 3-point range during his senior campaign at Montverde. The Eagles beat opponents by an average margin of 39 points per game en route to a 25-0 record.
Cade Cunningham brings the ball up the court during his senior season Montverde Academy.
Photo by Greg Payan
Adjusted for 32 minutes, his numbers translated to 20.2 points, 9.3 assists and 6.1 rebounds per game.
A year later in Stillwater, the 6-foot-8 guard became the first Oklahoma State player to be named Associated Press All-American first team, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per contest. Cunningham also captured Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Freshman of the Year honors.
Cunningham was selected first overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2021 NBA Draft Thursday night.
