Pistons take Cunningham as top pick; Rockets get Fil-Am
NEW YORK (AFP) — Cade Cunningham, a 19-year-old guard who played at Oklahoma State University last season, was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the first pick in Thursday's NBA Draft.
Cunningham averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.6 steals a game in college after helping spark a US victory in the 2019 Under-19 Basketball World Cup.
“It's still crazy. Words can't really explain the emotions,” Cunningham said. “I’m ready to see what I can do at the next level.”
Cunningham going to the “Motor City” sets up a perfect nickname — Motor Cade — for a Pistons team that went 20-52 last season and won the NBA Draft Lottery on June 22 to claim the top pick.
The Houston Rockets, who had the NBA's worst record at 17-55 last season, chose second and picked 19year-old shooting guard Jalen Green from the Ignite prospects team of the G-League, the NBA's top development circuit.
Green, whose mother Bree Puruganan has Filipino lineage, was the highest pick to skip the US college scene, following the path of LaMelo Ball, who was taken third overall last year after opting to play in Australia.
Green averaged 17.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists a game last season for Ignite.
Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao expressed his excitement on social media following Green’s selection.
“Congratulations to Jalen Green on getting drafted #2 overall,” said Pacquiao on his Instagram. The two had met days prior to the NBA Draft.
“Looking forward to watching your journey to becoming a superstar,” added Pacquiao, who is in the United States preparing for his Aug. 21 fight against Errol Spence Jr.
The Cleveland Cavaliers used the third overall selection on Evan Mobley, a 7-foot power forward who averaged 16.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists a game at the University of Southern California last season.
Toronto selected Florida State forward Scottie Barnes fourth and Orlando took guard Jalen Suggs fifth overall. (With report from Waylon Galvez)