Cade Cunningham Officially Enters Name in NBA Draft

It’s no big shock, but Cade Cunningham has officially played his last game as a Cowboy.

Cunningham, the No. 1 player in the 2020 recruiting class turned projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft, announced his intentions to enter the draft Thursday in Gallagher-Iba Arena.

Cunningham committed to OSU on Nov. 5, 2019 despite a late push from Kentucky. He became the highest-rated signee the Pokes ever had. His commitment was tested that next summer when the NCAA hit OSU with a postseason ban following the FBI’s investigation into college basketball, but Cunningham again chose to stick it out with Mike Boynton.

Cunningham led the Big 12 in scoring as a freshman this past season en route to becoming the conference’s Player of the Year. He also became OSU’s first AP First Team All-American while leading OSU to its first NCAA Tournament victory since 2009.

CBS Sports and ESPN project Cunningham as the No. 1 player to be taken in the 2021 NBA Draft. He would be the Cowboys’ first No. 1 pick ever.

“I think [going to OSU] was more than worth it,” Cunningham said after OSU’s NCAA Tournament loss. “I was around the right people. I feel like I’ve grown so much in my game. I feel like my teammates uplifted me. My coaches uplifted me. I feel I became a way better player than I was when I came into this, and I feel like as a person I’ve grown. I’ve grown a lot. I’ve matured a lot. I just can’t thank them enough.”