Cade Cunningham Reaffirms Commitment to Oklahoma State

Cade Cunningham will be a Cowboy.

Cunningham, the nation’s No. 1 recruit, reaffirmed his commitment to Oklahoma State on Monday after the program was hit with a postseason ban a few weeks ago. Cunningham is a potential No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and the highest-rated commit in program history.

“It’s standing by the people you started with,” said Cunningham. “It’s showing up even when times are hard. It’s believing in the people who always believed in you. It’s commitment. Now more than ever, I’m loyal and true. I’m committed. Stillwater, let’s work.”

Unswerving in allegiance. pic.twitter.com/tuhcIWhTWh

— Cade Cunningham (@CadeCunningham_) June 22, 2020

Cunningham originally committed to OSU on Nov. 5 and signed in the early signing period. However, on June 5, the NCAA hit OSU with a postseason ban and other sanctions as part of the fallout from the FBI’s probe into college basketball (and in OSU’s case, Lamont Evans) from three years ago. The sanctions opened the door for Cunningham to pursue other options whether it be another school, the G-League or playing professional ball overseas for a year.

One of his contemporaries — Jalen Green — will play in the G-League for $500K next season (presuming there is a next season).

I’m told Cade Cunningham never seriously considered the G-League program. He turned down $500K plus months ago, did it again despite fact Oklahoma State isn’t likely to be able to play in NCAA tournament. Cowboys still appealing NCAA decision.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 22, 2020

OSU coach Mike Boynton, who has recruited Cunningham since he was a lesser-known high school freshman, was adamant in recent weeks that he would support Cunningham’s decision after the sanctions no matter what it was. And here we are a few weeks later with Cunningham again picking Boynton and OSU.

With Cunningham running the show this past season, Montverde Academy went 25-0. The Eagles were the No. 1 high school team in America, and played a national schedule where they secured seven wins against top-10 teams. Montverde beat teams by an averaged of 39 points.

Cunningham’s 247Sports composite score is a .9999, the highest any point guard has ever been ranked. He was also named the Naismith Player of the Year.

Just talked to Oklahoma State cosch Mike Boynton about Cade Cunningham’s decision:

“I think it says more about Cade than anything else, and why he’s going to be successful on and off the court for a long time. He’s elite. Not a lot of guys would have done this. Very few.”

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 22, 2020

With Cunningham’s announcement, everyone expected to be on OSU’s 2020-21 roster apart from Montreal Pena has either confirmed their intentions for next season, or their intentions have been reported.

Despite the severity of the NCAA’s sanctions on OSU’s program, only Yor Anei and Hidde Roessink have chosen to explore the transfer portal. With Bryce Williams entering from Ole Miss, here is the list of players who will be Pokes next season.

Cade Cunningham
Isaac Likekele
Kalib Boone
Keylan Boone
Avery Anderson
Chris Harris Jr.
Rondel Walker
Matthew-Alexander Moncrieffe
Ferron Flavors Jr.
Donovan Williams
Bryce Williams