DETROIT -- Being the top pick in the NBA draft comes plenty of expectations. As the No. 1 selection in this year’s NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham is well aware of them but he’s not feeding into them.
The 20-year-old is focused on staying true to himself. It’s what got him through his tenure at Montverde Academy in Florida. It’s what got him through his lone year at Oklahoma State and it’s what he’ll use to navigate his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons.
“I felt like any situation I’ve been in where there’s been a lot of pressure on me or whatever I feel like, I’ve stayed true to who I am and I found ways to still come out on top,” Cunningham said. “So I know that this is a different person than I’ve ever faced before, I guess. But I’d say I don’t really look at it as pressure, it’s more of an opportunity to show people something than to think about all the bad things that could happen.”
As the top pick, Cunningham is aware of the stories of previous No. 1 selections. He’s looked at their stories but has stopped himself from thinking about their career trajectories.
Of the past 20 top overall picks, 11 have been named to NBA All-Star teams. Just five have won NBA Championships, with two winning rings with the team that originally drafted them.
“I tried to lock in on the fact that I’m trying to live this every day,” Cunningham said. “And so, I’m really just writing my own story. I’m not one of those guys, so it’s fun. I think it’s exciting to see where I can take it and I just see it as (an) opportunity really to show everybody that I am the No. 1 pick. I was taken there for a reason.”
Fans have gotten a glimpse of why the Pistons selected Cunningham with the top pick. Some of that includes his high basketball IQ and his ability to knock shots down from 3-point distance. Cunningham also has plenty of other skills that launched him to the top of the draft boards, which Pistons head coach Dwane Casey says puts a target on his back.
Even with eyes on Cunningham, the Pistons aren’t naive to the fact that there will be growing pains as the rookie develops. Cunningham and the Pistons are set to open training camp on Tuesday and the team has made sure to surround the rookie with plenty of support that will help make his transition to the NBA easier.
“The one thing I know, Cade won’t be a bust,” Casey said. “That’s one thing you can guarantee that. But there will be growing pains, we have to be supportive. He’s going to have a target on his back, each and every night and it’s up on us, his teammates, the coaching staff, the whole organization to make sure we support him.”
With the return of veterans like Jerami Grant, Cory Joseph and Rodney McGruder, as well as the additions of Kelly Olynyk and Trey Lyles, Cunningham has several places to turn for guidance. He’s already received some advice from Josh Jackson that has stuck with him.
On top of that, he and his teammates have the grit to tough out the restoration of the franchise.
“I feel like if you can be consistent every day and just work hard, then the good things will come,” Cunningham said. “So I’m not really going to press, trying to force the issue too early. I want to make sure that everything’s smooth with the squad and be patient. I know things are going to come.
“Josh comes in for early morning workouts. He was doing that when I first got to Detroit, and nobody was out there. So I know he’s in a city but just to see him working so much, he was telling me about making sure that I stay patient with it, and things are going to come when they come. So now I’m excited just to see how things start. I’m excited to be in the NBA now and see where things go.”
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