Detroit Pistons star rookie Cade Cunningham finally made his NBA debut on Sunday at the 2021 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. The first overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft started at the two spot for the young Pistons unit but ultimately fell short against the Oklahoma City Thunder, 76-72.
The 19-year-old sensation filled up the stat sheet with 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and two steals. Despite starting his Pistons career with an L, the Oklahoma State standout had nothing but positives to take out from his very first taste of NBA action.
“It was fun to put the jersey on for the first time,” Cunningham said (via Rod Beard of The Detroit News). “We wanted a win out of it. We have a lot from this game to learn from,”
#Pistons Cade Cunningham on his debut: "It was fun to put the jersey on for the first time. We wanted a win out of it…we have a lot from this game to learn from."
— Rod Beard (@detnewsRodBeard) August 9, 2021
Cunningham started off blazing hot, knocking down two early threes in the opening minutes of the game. Unfortunately, the young star stumbled upon some rookie jitters as he struggled from the field the rest of the evening with a 5-of-17 shooting clip including missing all of his next five attempts from deep.
Cade is joining a young Pistons squad with a huge upside. Cunningham started on Sunday alongside last season's standout rookies guard Killian Hayes and forward Saddiq Bey. These three, with guys like Jerami Grant and Isaiah Stewart in the mix, look to form a solid young core in Detroit for years to come.
“I know the perspective of my team would be with me coming in as the No. 1 pick. I don't want to come in being about me and taking up that space. I want to build on their games.” he added.
It's definitely an exciting time to be a Motor City fan.
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