Cade Cunningham’s All-Star Start a Step Toward Larger Goals
Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham is set to participate in his second consecutive NBA All-Star Game and this one carries particular significance. The mini-tournament will be played at the Intuit Dome, the arena also slated to host the men’s Olympic basketball tournament at the 2028 Los Angeles Games—a milestone Cunningham had long envisioned as part of his career plan.
“The All-Star Game in L.A. Was part of the plan,” Cunningham told Andscape. “I wanted to make sure I was there. And then win a championship and be an Olympic point guard. It’s all part of the long-term plan.”
Cunningham’s aspirations to represent Team USA are not new. He previously served as a “sparring partner” before the 2023 World Cup, joining the “Select Team” used to challenge the starting players in practice. During that time, he was even tasked with specific assignments—reportedly simulating the game of Luka Dončić in training—and made a strong impression.
Currently leading the Pistons, who boast a 40-13 record, Cunningham is enjoying a strong season, averaging 25.3 points, 9.6 assists (second in the NBA), 5.6 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 47 games. This performance has earned him his first voting nod as an Eastern Conference starter.
“He’s a 6-foot-8 point guard who dominates in all facets of the game offensively,” said his coach, JB Bickerstaff. “But we don’t talk enough about his defense, his willingness to take the other team’s best player. For me, with the impact he has on that side of the ball as well, that makes him one of the five best two-way players in the league.”
| Cade Cunningham | Pourcentage | Rebonds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Equipe | MJ | Min | Tirs | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | Tot | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2021-22 | DET | 64 | 32:38 | 41.6 | 31.4 | 84.5 | 0.9 | 4.6 | 5.5 | 5.6 | 3.1 | 1.2 | 3.7 | 0.7 | 17.4 |
| 2022-23 | DET | 12 | 33:20 | 41.5 | 27.9 | 83.7 | 1.0 | 5.2 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 19.9 |
| 2023-24 | DET | 62 | 33:27 | 44.9 | 35.5 | 86.9 | 0.5 | 3.8 | 4.3 | 7.5 | 2.5 | 0.9 | 3.4 | 0.4 | 22.7 |
| 2024-25 | DET | 70 | 35:02 | 46.9 | 35.6 | 84.6 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 9.1 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 0.8 | 26.1 |
| 2025-26 | DET | 47 | 34:54 | 46.2 | 33.0 | 80.8 | 1.0 | 4.7 | 5.6 | 9.6 | 3.2 | 1.5 | 3.7 | 0.8 | 25.3 |
Key: MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Tirs = Shots made/attempted; 3pts = 3-pointers made/attempted; LF = Free throws made/attempted; Off = Offensive rebound; Def = Defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = Assists; Fte = Personal fouls; Int = Interceptions; Bp = Turnovers; Ct = Blocks; Pts = Points.
