“Five years down the line I will be in the NBA, hopefully, an All-Star”: When Detroit’s #1 pick Cade Cunningham predicted his future back in a 2017 basketball camp

Back in 2017, during an interview at the Pangos All-South Camp, Cade Cunningham was asked where did he saw himself 5 years down the line. The then-15-year-old rightly predicted “in the NBA”, and even aspired to be an All-Star.

The Detroit Pistons have one of the richest histories amongst several teams in the league. The organization has been to a total of five NBA Finals since 1988, winning three of them. However, the last time the Pistons made it to the finals was back in 2005.

And ever since, whenever they have advanced to the postseason, have not made a deep playoff run. It is safe to say that Detroit has been more or less a lottery team for the past decade or so.

Led by their star forward Jerami Grant the last season, the Pistons were placed last in the Western Conference, with an overall 2^nd worst 20-52 record. However, after selecting Cade Cunningham with their 1^st pick of the 2021 Draft, the Pistons will hope to change that narrative.

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Back when Cade Cunningham rightly predicted his future as a 15-year-old

With players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes, Jalen Suggs, the 2021 Draft Class is oozing with talent. And clearly, by drafting Cade with their number 1 pick, the Pistons are trusting this 19-year-old youngster to be the face of their franchise.

Playing for Oklahoma State University in his only year as a college student, Cunningham was simply sensational. He put up 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals as a freshman. Cade was a part of the first-team All-American, won the Big 12 Player of the Year, and Big 12 Freshman of the Year among many other accolades. No doubt, he was one of the best players in the class and ended up going to the Detroit Pistons as their number 1 selection.

What if we told you that Cade actually predicted his future a few years back? Yes, back in 2017, during the Pangos All-South Camp, where Cade won Co-MVP honours, he was asked a series of questions in an interview. Amongst the few questions he was asked interviewer Matt McGann asked him – “5 years down the road, where do you want to see yourself?”

And the then 15-year-old phenom said:

“In the NBA for sure. All-Star, stuff like that. All of that… Maybe even an MVP!”

 

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In only 4 years after that interview, Cade is the #1 pick of this year’s draft. Someone with his talents and potential will surely hope to be an All-Star early in his career. And if all goes well for him, Cunningham could also see himself Maurice Podoloff NBA MVP Trophy, in the years to come.

As of now, with the privilege of being a number 1 pick, comes a lot of responsibilities and pressure on Cunningham’s back. With the 2021-2022 season kicking off from October 19^th, let’s see how productive Cade Cunningham is in his first season.