Cade Cunningham has been recognized by many as a elite NBA prospect since his junior year of high school. NBA draft analyst Mike Schmitz was highly impressed with his ability when grading him. Calling Cade “arguably the most complete prospect I’ve ever evaluated and it’s really his versatility on both ends of the court” Schmitz said on ESPN. It was his obvious skill set that made him the number one for the Detroit Pistons.
When you’re recognized as the best player by many, experts start comparing the player to current and former NBA players. We all heard the Grant Hill or Luka Doncic comparison when it came to Cade. Neither Doncic nor Hill were considered consensus number one picks like Cunningham. They actually were both selected third overall twenty five years apart in their respective drafts.
Grant Hill’s Crossover and Experience will be tough to match
They do it in totally different ways Grant Hill being faster, athletic, and possessing one of the most deadly crossover moves the league has seen. This single move virtually made him unstoppable with his ability to hit mid range jumpers or get to the basket. Defenses were at his mercy he picked apart teams with his god given ability. On most nights he was just flat out better than his opponent in a era where man to man defensive schemes were common.
He was a two-time college champion, and two time NCAA All American at Duke in his four years. Playing for one of the greatest coaches of all time coach Mike Krzyzewski, compiling one of the greatest resumes in college basketball history, earning a place in the college basketball hall of fame.
In his rookie season he hit the ground running averaging 19.9 points 6.4 rebounds 5.0 assists to go with his 1.8 steals. Starting in all but one game he played for the Detroit Pistons, he won co-rookie of the year honors alongside fellow hall of famer, and now head coach Jason Kidd. After being drafted in 1994 Hill was a five-time All Star and three-time All NBA player before 2000. Hill was one of the most exciting players in the league before his career was derailed by injuries.
Cade Cunningham, like Grant, can fill a stat sheet while providing suffocating defense. Their abilities to orchestrate a offense should also be noted. However it’s unfair to expect similar production from anyone to what Grant was able to provide. His rookie season was one of the best in Pistons’ history. So it’s not a knock on Cade to suggest his play wouldn’t be that of Grant Hill’s. I know Detroit Pistons fans are optimistic but this kid will need time to grow into that type of player.
Remember, Grant Hill was two years older than Cade Cunningham when he entered the league.