Detroit Pistons star Cade Cunningham enjoyed a well-deserved homecoming during the Pistons trip to Texas to take on the Dallas Mavericks.
On December 17th, Cunningham had his high jersey retired in a ceremony filled with his teammates, family and friends at Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas.
Cunningham was a five-star recruit in high school and one of the top players in the 2020 class. It was an exciting moment for Cunningham, being back at his old high school.
“This is so special,” Cunningham said during his jersey retirement ceremony. “I appreciate the amount of love and support that I’ve gotten since I’ve been in the NBA. Every time I come back home, I’m just overflowed with love and support, and that means a lot.”
Cunningham blossomed into a star in high school
Before starring at Montverde Academy in Florida, Cunningham spent his first two years in high school at Bowie. As a freshman, he made the varsity basketball team wearing the same number he wears now in the league. During his freshman and sophomore year, he averaged more than 15 points and saw significant playing time on the court.
The 24-year-old said Bowie helped shape him into the person he is today.“Being from Arlington is something I am very proud of,” he stated. “I was here for two years, about seven years ago now. I was in this school, walking the halls, playing here. I just had a dream. I just wanted to be great. I wanted to help my family the best I could.”
Cunningham made the decision to attend basketball powerhouse Montverde Academy. There, his stock rose and he was named Naismith High School Player of the Year. He helped lead Montverde to a 25-0 record and a No. 1 ranking. After high school, Cunningham committed to Oklahoma State where he spent one year before becoming the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.
Cunningham’s No. 2 will forever hang in the rafters
From now on, every time you step into the gymnasium at Bowie High School and look up, you will see that No. 2 hanging from the ceiling.
Doris Morehead Jones, one of Cunningham’s former teachers at Bowie, said he was an exceptional person.
“Cade was always kind, always joyful, always funny, and always made people feel seen,” Morehead said. “From day one, Cade was a people person. That was a snapshot of the kind of man that he would become.”
Cunningham is currently in his fifth NBA season and the one-time all-star has quickly made a name for himself throughout the league. The Pistons have made tremendous improvements in a span of three years and Cunningham has played a vital role during that time.
During Cunnigham’s ceremony, Morehead had a special message for her former student.
“As we stand here today and retire your high school jersey, Cade, know this – your teachers, your administrators, coaches, and your friends will never forget the kid that you were,” Morehead said. “We honor, respect, and love the man you’ve become. This was always who you were destined to be.”
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