2021 NBA Draft Profile: Oklahoma State guard Cade Cunningham

NBA draft profile: Cade Cunningham’s strengths

Cade Cunningham will enter the NBA as a ready-made prospect, and he’s a physical force thanks to his size and strength. He has an ability beyond his years to control the tempo of a game with the ball in his hands which can be of great help for a team ready to start winning some games in 2021-22.

Cunningham didn’t really get the chance to show his playmaking acumen at Oklahoma State last season. However, in his time with Montverde Academy in Florida, he displayed his ability to facilitate and create opportunities for his elite teammates like fellow lottery-projected pick Scottie Barnes. With a talented roster around him in the NBA, he should be able to unleash his teammates on the offensive end with his creative passing brilliance.

He’s also a lethal 3-point shooter who shot 40.0 percent from long range last season and his 84.6 percent free-throw shooting suggests that this proficiency should translate brilliantly to the NBA. In addition to this, he can shoot off the dribble and create his own offense in the pick and roll, and thanks to his size and strength he can get to the rim at will, and his athleticism means he can finish at the rim with great proficiency.

Cunningham is also already an excellent defender who projects to be a star at the next level. His length, intelligence and awareness make him the real deal on defense with the upside to be a game-changer.