NBA Draft: Pro comparisons for the top 30 prospects in 2021

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 21: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Oklahoma State Cowboys reacts against the Oregon State Beavers during the second half in the second round game of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Hinkle Fieldhouse on March 21, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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Cade Cunningham. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

2021 NBA Draft: 1. Cade Cunningham compares to Luka Doncic

At one point, being a fairly unathletic guard in the NBA was a complete pass for general managers. With today’s game predicated more so on skills as opposed to simply raw athletic ability, Cade Cunningham fits right in.

As the consensus number one overall player in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham showed exactly why he will be a no-brainer pick for the Detroit Pistons.

During his lone year at Oklahoma State, he showed out every night. Cunningham touched every part of the stat sheet as he dropped just over 20 a game with a shade over six rebounds. His playmaking was good enough to get him 3.5 assists a night. More importantly, at 40% from distance, Cunningham will fit perfectly into a 3-point crazed league.

Luckily for Pistons fans, Cunningham reminds us of Luka Doncic. There were similar questions for the Eurostar when he first entered the league. With his lack of foot speed, how will Doncic be able to score at the next level? Considering that he’s been amongst the league leaders in points per game since he entered the NBA, Doncic is doing just fine.

Cunningham moves at his own pace, never gets sped up and is able to get to his spot and score all whenever he wants. He’s was a consistent triple-double threat in college and by the looks of it, Cunningham will be able to do essentially the same in the pros. Ultimately, he may not be as efficient or as prolific in getting his numbers but on most nights, Piston fans will be rubbing their eyes as Cunningham looks like the second coming of Doncic.