Cade Cunningham is a professional basketball player who plays for the Detroit Pistons.
Cunningham was the first pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and is due to embark on his third season with the team.
In this article, you will know Cade Cunningham’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Cade Cunningham’s Biography
| Full Name | Cade Parker Cunningham |
| Nickname | ‘Motorcade’ |
| Profession | Basketball Player |
| Club | Detroit Pistons |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Date of Birth | 25th September 2001 |
| Place of Birth | Arlington, Texas |
| Age | 22 |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Christian |
| Year Drafted | 2021 |
| Professional Debut | 2021 |
| Height | 6ft 6 inches |
| Weight | 100kg |
| Net Worth | between $8 million and $10 million |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Father’s Name | Keith Cunningham |
| Mother’s Name | Carrie Cunningham |
| Instagram Handle | @cadecunn1ngham |
| X Handle | @cadecunningham_ |
Born on the 25th of September 2021, from a young age, it seemed that Cunningham was destined for the very top.
High School Career
A hugely talented player, Cunningham first played his High School basketball at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas.
After 2 successful years at Bowie, Cunningham was already projected to become a 5-star college recruit.
He only cemented his potential further when he transferred to Montverde Academy.
Located in Florida, Montverde was responsible for developing the talents of NBA stars such as Ben Simmons, D’Angelo Russel, and R.J. Barrett.
Playing just one season for the Florida-based team, Cunningham helped Monteverde stay undefeated and was selected for McDonald’s prestigious All-American Game.
He topped off a tremendous High School career by being a part of the USA squad that won the FIBA U19 World Cup.
Due to his fine displays in High School, Cunningham quickly became one of the most sought-after high school recruits and was pursued by many of America’s finest college programs.
College Career
Despite the attention of college basketball powerhouses Duke and Kentucky, Cunningham chose to attend Oklahoma State and, in 2020, became the first 5-star recruit to join the program since Marcus Smart in 2012.
Displaying all the talents that made him look NBA-ready, his stay in college was always likely to be brief.
Cunningham played in 27 games in just one season with the Sooners. His impact on the team was huge, averaging 20 points per game.
Recognized as the best Freshman in college, he won the Wayman Tisdale Award and achieved All-American Honors.
With many expecting Cunningham to forego his college eligibility, Cunningham confirmed that he would be entering the 2021 NBA Draft.
NBA Career
After declaring himself eligible for the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham was selected by the Detroit Pistons as the first pick.
He became the first Oklahoma player drafted in the first round since Marcus Smart in 2013.
He enjoyed a terrific first season, starting 67 games and becoming the eighth youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double.
Further success would come, as he would be nominated for the 2022 Rookie of the Year, ultimately finishing third in the voting.
Cunningham’s second season would end early due to him needing an operation to repair a stress fracture in his left leg. He is expected to return for the 2023/2024 season fully.
Despite Cunningham’s return, betting sites such as FanDuel sportsbook predict that the Pistons could be in for a tough season. Cunningham will be hoping to prove them wrong.
Wife
Cade Cunningham is not married, but he is currently in a relationship with Nikia Withers, an Instagram influencer and a former college volleyball player.
There is no information available that suggests the couple is married or engaged.
Cunningham has a daughter named Riley, born in 2018, from a previous relationship. There is no mention of Nikia Withers and Cade Cunningham having children together.
Cade Cunningham’s Net Worth Details
Cade Cunningham’s net worth is estimated to be between $8 million to $10 million as of 2025.
This figure is based on his earnings as a professional NBA player for the Detroit Pistons, which includes his salary from the team and any endorsements and other income sources he may have.
Cunningham’s career earnings from his NBA salary alone amount to $31,658,160 over three seasons, with a salary of $10,050,120 for the 2021/22 season, $10,552,800 for the 2022/23 season, and $11,055,240 for the 2023/24 season.
Additionally, his 2024-25 season salary is set to increase to $13.9 million, and his 4-year contract with the Detroit Pistons guarantees him $45.5 million.
Endorsements
Upon signing his rookie deal, Cunningham began to receive endorsement deals.
He is a Nike-sponsored athlete and was believed to have signed the most lucrative sneaker deal out of the 2021 Draft class.
He also has endorsement deals with Uptime Energy, Panini, JD Sports and Silos.
Achievements
| Achievement | Year |
| Third in the 2022 Rookie of the Year Vote | 2022 |
| 2022 NBA All-Rookie 1st Team | 2022 |
| Wayman Tisdale Award Winner | 2021 |
| First team All-American | 2021 |
| USBWA National Freshman of the Year | 2021 |
| NABC Freshman of the Year | 2021 |
| Sporting News Freshman of the Year | 2021 |
| Big 12 Freshman of the Year | 2021 |
| Big 12 All-Newcomer Team | 2021 |
| Mr Basketball USA | 2020 |
| Naismith Prep Player of the Year | 2020 |
| McDonald’s All-American | 2020 |
| Jordan Brand Classic | 2020 |
| Nike Hoop Summit | 2020 |
| FIBA Under 19 World Cup Winner | 2019 |
NBA Career Stats
| GP | GS | MIN | FG | FG% | 3PT | 3P% | FT | FT% | OR | DR | REB | AST | BLK | STL | PF | TO | PTS | ||
| 2021/2022 | 64 | 64 | 32.6 | 6.7-16.1 | 41.6 | 1.8-5.7 | 31.4 | 2.2-2.6 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 3.7 | 17.4 | |
| 2022/2023 | 12 | 12 | 33.3 | 7.8-18.7 | 41.5 | 1.4-5.1 | 27.9 | 3.0-3.6 | 83.7 | 1.0 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 3.3 | 19.9 | |
| Totals | 76 | 76 | 32.7 | 6.9-16.5 | 41.6 | 1.7-5.6 | 30.9 | 2.3-2.8 | 84.4 | 0.9 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 5.6 | 0.7 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 3.6 | 17.8 |
FAQs
What are Cade Cunningham’s strengths on the court?
Cunningham is known for his isolation prowess, indicating his strong ability to score and make plays against defenders.
How has Cade Cunningham been expected to grow with the Detroit Pistons?
Expectations for Cunningham’s growth with the Pistons include enhancing his overall game and contributing significantly to the team’s success.
Are there any concerns about Cade Cunningham’s performance?
Some criticisms include his overrated passer and playmaker, loose handle, turnover-prone, and struggle to create separation from defenders. These aspects are considered limitations to his effectiveness as a leading offensive player.
How does Cade Cunningham’s shooting ability stand out?
Despite criticisms, Cunningham is acknowledged as quite good at shooting the ball, suggesting his scoring ability remains valuable.
Where was Cade Cunningham ranked as a high school senior?
As a senior, Cunningham was ranked as the top guard in the 2020 class and the best available prospect that fall, highlighting his high potential and skill level even before entering the NBA.
In hindsight, what has been said about Cade Cunningham’s draft position?
In a hypothetical re-draft scenario, some believe Cunningham would be the fourth or fifth pick, behind players like Mobley and Barnes, indicating a reassessment of his value compared to his peers.
What potential does Cade Cunningham have for future improvement?
Despite the criticisms, his potential to become a solid professional player is acknowledged. Some improvement was noted over his rookie year, suggesting that there is still optimism about his ability to develop further.
How do organizational issues affect Cade Cunningham’s career?
It’s suggested that bad organizations can negatively impact players’ careers, implying that the environment within the Detroit Pistons could influence Cunningham’s development and success in the NBA.
