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Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham selected to Eastern Conference All-Star team

Cunningham is the first Piston since Blake Griffin to be named to All-Star team

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 13: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) (Dustin Satloff, 2025 Dustin Satloff)

DETROIT – The Detroit Pistons have their NBA All-Star as franchise player Cade Cunningham has been named an Eastern Conference reserve.

With Thursday’s (Jan. 30) announcement by the NBA on TNT crew, Cunningham is the first All-Star since high-flyer Blake Griffin back in 2019.

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Blake Griffin #23 of the Detroit Pistons and Team Giannis drives against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Team LeBron in the fourth quarter during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) (2019 Getty Images)

Motor Cade has been carrying the Pistons this season, as the 23-year-old is in the top 10 in assists, rebounds, and made shots per game.

His success has placed the team in the playoff hunt, which has not been heard in Detroit surrounding the pro-basketball team in a long time.

The four-year pro has been performing well throughout his career, but coming into the 2024-2025 season, no one could say they expected to have a case for him to be an NBA All-Star as he’s played on some horrific teams years prior.

After Wednesday’s (Jan. 29) defeat against the Indiana Pacers, the Pistons are the No. 8 seed with a 23-24 record, but they are in contention with the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) talks with referee Tyler Ford (39) after he was charged with a technical foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Indiana Pacers in Indianapolis, Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Although the Pistons have now lost three consecutive games, Cunningham has been on a tear lately.

In those losses, he’s dropped 35 against the Orlando Magic, 22 against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and 32 against the Indiana Pacers.

Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) shoots the ball over Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Kathryn Skeean) (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

There’s still a lot of basketball left to be played as it’s an 82-game season, but the Pistons won 14 games last season and 17 in 2023.

But he has the team playing inspired ball, which is all that Detroiters want from their sports teams.

--> NBA All-Star reserves selection looms for Detroit Pistons’ Cade Cunningham as he continues to impress

Cunningham is growing physically and mentally, and the game is slowing down for him.

He spoke about this last week while making his case to the NBA on TNT as to why he deserves to be named to the All-Star game.

“It’s definitely slowed down because of experience, and the games played have allowed me to experiment,” said Cunningham. “I’ve failed a bunch of times, and all those times helped me with the mentality that I have now and the mindset of knowing that I have to go get it every night. But, it’s different.”

Cunningham continued:

“Early on, you’re just trying to figure out things as they were just unorganized. Just trying to figure out my footing and what worked for me, but now I’m starting to figure out my groove, and my teammates have helped me a lot with that.”

--> ‘You’re an all-star’: Hall of famer champions Detroit Pistons guards' bid for 1st NBA All-Star selection

Look for the newly crowned All-Star to help his team snap their three-game losing skid as they return home to take on the Dallas Mavericks on Friday at 7 p.m.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 13: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons reacts during the fourth quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on January 13, 2025 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) (2025 Dustin Satloff)

About the Author
Brandon Carr headshot

Brandon Carr is a digital content producer for ClickOnDetroit and has been with WDIV Local 4 since November 2021. Brandon is the 2015 Solomon Kinloch Humanitarian award recipient for Community Service.