Former Oklahoma State Cowboy, Cade Cunningham, has a real shot to become the NBA MVP this season — potentially making him Oklahoma State’s first former player to win that award. Will he seal the deal amongst other tough candidates as the NBA’s final stretch approaches?
DETROIT, Mich. — Cade Cunningham’s rise in the NBA has been gradual but promising, transforming the Detroit Pistons from bottom feeder underachievers to Eastern Conference frontrunners with a 42-14 record as of February 2026.
Now in his fifth season, Cunningham is averaging 25.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game, shooting 45.5% from the field and 33.4% from three. These numbers, combined with Detroit’s top seeding, have thrust him into the MVP conversation, a feat that would mark a historic milestone for both him and his alma mater, Oklahoma State University.
Cunningham’s path to the pros began with a standout collegiate season at Oklahoma State in 2020-21. As the No. 1 recruit in the 2020 class, his commitment to the Cowboys was influenced heavily by family ties. His brother, Cannen Cunningham, served as an assistant coach under Mike Boynton and was a big reason he chose to come to Stilly.
Despite offers from blue-blood programs like Duke, Kentucky, and North Carolina, Cade chose OSU, becoming the program’s highest-ranked signee ever and its first five-star recruit since Marcus Smart in 2012.
Even with an NCAA postseason ban looming over the team, Cunningham stayed committed, leading the Cowboys to a 21-9 record and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
His freshman stats were electric as promised. Cade flexed 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game across 27 contests, with shooting splits of 43.8% from the field, 40% from three, and 84.6% from the line.
He led the Big 12 in scoring, earned consensus first-team All-American honors, and was named Big 12 Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year.
Cunningham’s versatility as a 6-6 guard, scoring at all levels, facilitating, and defending, in a way, foreshadowed his NBA all star rise.
Oklahoma State has a rich history of producing NBA talent, though none have claimed the league’s MVP award…yet.
Notable alumni include defensive stars like Marcus Smart (three-time All-Defensive First Team, 2022 Defensive Player of the Year) and Tony Allen (six-time All-Defensive selection, including three First Team nods).
Others who’ve made the the NBA jump include Markel Brown, James Anderson, Jawun Evans, Desmond Mason, Joey Graham, John Lucas III, Bryant “Big Country” Reeves, Byron Houston, Ivan McFarlin, Leroy Combs, Maurice Baker, and more recent additions like Moussa Cisse and Lindy Waters III.
This pipeline isn’t blue blood program status by any means but, for what it’s worth, it shows OSU can produce NBA talent. Cunningham, if he were to win the MVP, would shatter the orange tinted glass ceiling for Oklahoma State.
In the 2025-26 MVP race, Cunningham faces stiff competition from Nikola Jokic (28.8 PPG, 12.5 RPG, 10.5 APG, 58.4% FG), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (31.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 6.4 APG, 55.4% FG), Victor Wembanyama, Anthony Edwards, and Luka Doncic.
However, the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule looms large. As of February 24, 2026, Stephen Curry and Giannis Antetokounmpo are already ineligible due to excessive absences.
Jokic can miss only one more game (having missed 16), Wembanyama four more, Doncic five, Edwards seven, and Gilgeous-Alexander six (he’s missed nine and is sidelined with an abdominal strain).
Cunningham, with just six absences, can miss up to 11 of Detroit’s remaining 26 games and still qualify. This could position the former one and done Cowboy as a potential “de facto” winner if others falter.
Statistically, Cunningham’s efficiency and playmaking rival others, though he trails in scoring volume compared to SGA and Jokic.
His leadership has elevated the Pistons’ offense to elite levels, mirroring Jokic’s triple-double gimme but with superior team success.
A Cunningham MVP would reverberate through Oklahoma State’s basketball program, which is rebuilding toward annual March Madness appearances after recent struggles.
As a former Cowboy, his success could attract top recruits, spotlighting OSU’s NBA track record. The university SHOULD leverage this by inviting Cunningham for campus visits, perhaps a jersey retirement or alumni game, to boost morale.
Bringing back stars like Smart and Allen could further energize the fanbase and coaching staff, fostering a culture of excellence. Something Oklahoma State has been criticized as of not doing enough.
Whether Cunningham claims MVP or not, his trajectory honors OSU’s legacy while charting new territory for future Cowboy basketball stars. If availability seals the deal, Cade might just etch his name in NBA MVP history.