A new ray of hope emerged when the Detroit Pistons, who had been struggling for quite some time, drafted Cade Cunningham as the number one pick in the 2021 NBA draft. The franchise hinted at a possible rebuilding phase. However, in a disparaging turn of events, the Pistons failed at reorganizing, and that too, miserably. Last NBA season, they ended with a 14-68 tally that led to the firing of their head coach Monty Williams. Despite not having the ideal time with the Pistons, Cunningham’s former rival from high school days has nothing but praise for him.

Recently, EssentiallySports sat down for an exclusive chat with Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr. and when our interviewer BG12 asked him about the toughest player he has won against, the 20-year-old was quick with his response. He labeled Cunningham as the best player he has competed against in any league. In such troubling times, it would have brought a wave of happiness for Cunningham.

Demary Jr. added, “Toughest player I’ve ever played against? Oh, I played against Cade Cunningham before. Yeah…I played against his high school team. Definitely was him. He was tough. Yeah, cuz I think he plays at his own pace like he just…You can’t really speed him up and he was… is definitely one of the best people I’ve ever played against.”

Since he got drafted, he has been plying his trade for the John-Blair Bickerstaff-coached team, which speaks volumes about his skill. During high school, he played for Bowie High School in Arlington, where he was named the District 4-6A co-most valuable player (MVP). But for his junior year, he transferred to the Montverde Academy where he plied his trade for the next 2 years. Though Demary Jr. did not mention the game, the year, or the occasion when he played against Cunningham, it surely would have been during the time when he represented either school.

Demary Jr. is junior to Cunningham. And hence, his applauding Cunningham is something the latter will also keep close to his heart. After all, Cunningham has witnessed tough days in the NBA with the Pistons.

How the 2023-24 season humbled Cade Cunningham

The last season for the Detroit Pistons belongs in the history books, one that neither the franchise nor its players would like to revisit. However, from a season that went horribly wrong, there lies a learning point for all its representatives. And they have already leaped into action mode by hiring a new President of basketball operations, Trajan Langdon.

The learnings on the players’ front are also underway with Cunningham expressing optimism about the upcoming season after sitting through the league’s worst record for the second time in a row. Cunningham is also looking to have a healthy offseason that would allow him to leap into work mode immediately with his prime focus on ball handling and conditioning along with jump shooting, defense, and mid-range shots.

Coming into the league as the No. 1 draft pick with his 6’6″ frame, he was expected to be an elite playmaker, but fate had quite the contrary situation for him. He also shed light on what went wrong this season, saying, “Obviously, not the year we hoped got coming in, but learned a lot for sure. A lot of lessons came out of it. I’ve put thought to it before. It’s hard to say. But a lot went wrong. It was on us to try and adjust and find ways to start winning games.”

Now, that Cunningham displays a better understanding of what it takes to conquer the hardwood, maybe the upcoming season would prove better for the Pistons. Perhaps, Demary Jr.’s praise will help Cunningham find a spark of confidence in his skills during these troubling times. Maybe in a few years, Demary Jr. will shine as brightly as Cunningham and the duo can play together in the NBA much like the older times.