Cade Cunningham Bio: Net Worth, Salary, and Professional Career

Being drafted as the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, he immediately marked himself as a cornerstone talent destined to influence the league. Cade Cunningham's height played a very important role helping him to gain a control on the court. During his basketball career, Cunningham played alongside stars like Scottie Barnes at Montverde Academy and has been teammates with Jalen Duren and Jaden Ivey on the Pistons

Primarily, he operates as a ball-handler, showing his ability to score from all three levels. His size at 6'7" allows him to comfortably guard multiple positions and rebound effectively. As we have seen off the court, he expressed a strong desire to be part of the city's basketball resurgence and often engaged in professional conversations with management and coaches to push for team improvement.

Cade Cunningham's Early Life

Cade Cunningham is from Arlington, Texas, where he had initially excelled in football as a quarterback, an experience he credits with developing his passing and leadership skills for basketball. As he mentioned, his introduction to basketball was heavily influenced by his older brother, Cannen, who played college basketball and later became a crucial mentor.

Cade honed his skills frequently at local recreation centers with his father and brother. He has dominated the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) circuit with the Texas Titans. His journey then led him to Montverde Academy in Florida, a national basketball powerhouse, and then scored and improved his game so well that he got an entry to the NBA. This supportive family environment and exposure to elite-level basketball from a young age were instrumental in his development.

Cade Cunningham Personal Information

Cade Cunningham was born on September 25, 2001, in Arlington, Texas, to Carrie and Keith Cunningham. Cade has also mentioned that his older brother was his major motivation while starting his basketball career. Cade is also a proud father to his daughter, Riley. In this article, we will discuss about Cade Cunningham college career, personal and professional life:

Cade Cunningham's Personal Life

Cade Cunningham's personal life is notably grounded despite his rise to NBA stardom. Beyond his parents, his older brother, Cannen Cunningham, has been an incredibly significant figure, not just as a sibling but as a basketball mentor who shaped his early development as a point guard. Cade has a young daughter named Riley, born in 2018. Inspired by his older brother Cannen, who once played for the Dallas Mavericks' G-League affiliate, Cade maintains strong family roots while chasing NBA success

He became a father at a young age, and he often speaks about how Riley is his "biggest motivation" and has made him "grow up quickly." He is also rumored to be in a relationship with Nikia Withers, who is also an athlete (volleyball) and the sister of NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis. Cade’s personal journey mirrors that of fellow Detroit Pistons player Jaden Ivey, balancing the demands of being a professional athlete and a young father.

Cade Cunningham's Parents

Cade Cunningham was born to Carrie and Keith Cunningham, both of Cade Cunningham Parents had athletic backgrounds that significantly shaped his journey. His mother, Carrie, played professional tennis, while his father, Keith, played college football. This instilled a strong athletic foundation and work ethic in Cade from a young age. He often gives credit to his family for supporting him from an early age to achieve his passion for basketball. Cade Cunningham credits much of his discipline and work ethic to his mother, Carrie Cunningham, who supported his development from youth leagues to the Detroit Pistons.

As we already know, his older brother, Cannen, who also played college basketball, served as a crucial mentor and guide, helping Cade develop his game and navigate the challenges of competitive basketball. Cade Cunningham parents were always supportive towards his decisions for his career and have always supported him in every aspect.

Cade Cunningham Girlfriend

Cade Cunningham girlfriend is Nikia Withers. As per our research, their relationship has been linked back to 2021, indicating they have been together for over three years. Nikia Withers is an athlete herself, having played collegiate volleyball at the University of Southern California and professionally with Athletes Unlimited. She also holds a law major and has coached high school volleyball. She is five years older than Cade and is the sister of NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis, meaning she's familiar with the world of professional sports.

While Cade generally keeps his personal life private, Nikia has been seen supporting him at games. However, there are no widely reported details about how they specifically met or any significant public appearances or collaborations they have done together, as they largely maintain a low-key relationship.

Cade Cunningham Kids

If we speak about Cade Cunningham kids, he is a proud father to his daughter, Riley. She was born in 2018, making him a young father who had her while still in high school. Cade has often stated that, impacted him, forcing him to "grow up quickly" and giving him an immense source of motivation. Cade is very grateful to have her in his life.

While Riley primarily lives in Texas with her mother and other family members, Cade maintains a strong, loving bond with her. He has shared heartwarming moments, such as Riley being with him at the 2021 NBA Draft. There is no public information indicating that Riley is currently pursuing basketball or other organized sports, given her young age.

Cade Cunningham Contract

Cade Cunningham signed a significant five-year rookie maximum contract extension with the Detroit Pistons on July 10, 2024. This extension, which kicks in for the 2025-26 season, was initially worth a projected $224 million. However, due to his All-NBA Third Team selection in 2025, a clause in Cade Cunningham contract (the "Rose Rule") was triggered, boosting the total value to a massive $269,085,780. This deal guarantees 100% of the money and makes him a restricted free agent (RFA) at the end of the 2029-30 season. This extension replaces the final year of his original rookie scale contract, which paid him $13,940,809 for the 2024-25 season. In the table below, we have presented Cade Cunningham Contract details:

Cade Cunningham's Salary

Cade Cunningham salary saw a monumental increase due to his recent contract extension and performance incentives. His initial rookie contract, signed after being the 1st overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, paid him a total of $45,599,089 over four years.

However, on July 10, 2024, he signed a five-year, designated rookie maximum contract extension with the Detroit Pistons. This extension was contingent on him meeting certain criteria. By being named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2025, he triggered the "Rose Rule" clause in his contract, as mentioned before. This elevated his total extension value by an additional $45 million, bringing the grand total to approximately $269,085,780 for the five years starting from the 2025-26 season. In the table below, we have presented Cade Cunningham Salary breakdown as per Spotrac contract details:

Cade Cunningham Net Worth

Cade Cunningham net worth is rapidly increasing due to his substantial NBA contracts and growing endorsement portfolio. His career earnings from his initial rookie contract, we can estimate Cade Cunningham Net Worth to be around $8 million to $10 million.

Beyond salary, Cunningham has secured major brand endorsements. His most prominent deal is with Nike, which he signed in 2021, reportedly the highest for any 2021 draft pick. He also has partnerships with Panini (for trading cards), Neiman Marcus, Silos, JD Sports US, JUST Egg (plant-based food), Uptime Energy, BlockFi, and CURE Insurance. While specific details about his personal investments or independent business ventures aren't widely public, his financial growth is clearly multifaceted. Philanthropically, Cunningham has made significant contributions, notably donating $60,000 to Detroit public schools in 2024 for their Health Hub program and establishing "Cade's Care Closets" to provide essential items to students. He also donated $10,000 each to his former elementary and junior high schools in Texas.

Cade Cunningham Career

As we already know, Cade Cunningham's basketball journey has been marked by his early recognition as a generational talent and getting selected as the top pick in the NBA Draft. As we have already seen his NBA achievements and records, let's get to know how he has improved himself to this level. Let's get to know more about his journey from high school to his professional career.

Cade Cunningham High School Career

Cade Cunningham's high school career showcased his potential, primarily at Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, after transferring from Bowie High School in Arlington, Texas. At Bowie (2017-18), he averaged 18.8 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, earning District 4-6A co-MVP honors.

At his high school, he became the leader of one of the greatest high school teams in history. His individual performances were equally stellar, averaging 13.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds. He has achieved many national accolades, including Mr. Basketball USA, Naismith Prep Player of the Year, and MaxPreps National Player of the Year in 2020. He was also selected for the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit, though these were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cade Cunningham College Career

Cade Cunningham college is Oklahoma State University, playing one impactful season in 2020-21. As a freshman, Cade Cunningham stats were 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. Fans have seen him displaying his leadership and an all-around skill set for his size, often dominating games and elevating his team's performance.

He was recognized as a Consensus First-Team All-American, becoming the first Oklahoma State player since Bob Kurland in the 1940s to achieve this distinction. In Cade Cunningham college career, he also became only the fourth player to win both Big 12 Player of the Year and Big 12 Freshman of the Year in the same season, joining an elite group that includes Kevin Durant and Marcus Smart. Additionally, he was a First-Team All-Big 12 selection, Big 12 All-Freshman Team, and won the Wayman Tisdale Award for the top freshman in college basketball.

Cade Cunningham Professional Career

Cade Cunningham entered the NBA as the first overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, selected by the Detroit Pistons. Expectations were incredibly high for Cunningham, as he was seen as the franchise cornerstone capable of leading the Pistons' rebuilding efforts. He was envisioned as a versatile, pass-first point guard with the size and scoring ability to be a modern offensive engine.

His career has been exclusively with the Detroit Pistons since his draft. His rookie season (2021-22) saw him demonstrate flashes of his immense potential, despite missing time early due to an ankle injury. A significant moment was becoming the youngest Piston to record a triple-double. His second season (2022-23) was cut short due to a shin injury, limiting him to only 12 games. However, he bounced back strongly in the 2023-24 season, showcasing improved efficiency and consistent high-level play. His performance in the 2024-25 season was particularly impactful, leading to his first NBA All-Star selection and, more importantly, an All-NBA Third Team selection, which triggered a significant raise in his max contract extension. He has not been involved in any significant trades or free agency decisions, as the Pistons have firmly built their future around him. We have presented Cade Cunningham stats in the table below as per Spotrac player's Statistics:

Cade Cunningham Shoes

Cade Cunningham has a lucrative multi-year endorsement deal with Nike, signed just before the 2021 NBA Draft. This deal was reported to be the highest-earning shoe deal among players in his draft class, solidifying his position as a key Nike athlete.

While he doesn't yet have his own signature shoe (a rare achievement reserved for elite superstars), he frequently wears various Nike models on the court. His collection primarily features performance basketball shoes from Nike's lineup, including popular models like the Nike Air Zoom G.T. Cut series (G.T. Cut 3, G.T. Cut 3 Turbo), and often the beloved Nike Kobe V and Kobe 6 Protros. He also incorporates other Nike basketball shoes like the Sabrina 1, Kobe IV Protro, Kyrie S2 Hybrid, Kobe X Low, Kyrie 3, and Kobe XI Low. Off-court, as a Nike-sponsored athlete, he'd likely have access to a wide range of Nike lifestyle sneakers as well.

Cade Cunningham Jersey

Cade Cunningham jersey numbers throughout his basketball career, each associated with a different stage of his journey. In high school, at Montverde Academy, he wore jersey number 1. Prior to Montverde, while at Bowie High School in Texas, he wore jersey number 2. He also represented Team USA in FIBA competitions, where he wore jersey number 10. For his impactful single season in college with Oklahoma State University, Cade Cunningham proudly wore jersey number 2. This number became synonymous with his dominant collegiate performance.

Upon entering the NBA as the first overall pick, Cade Cunningham continued his tradition of wearing jersey number 2 for the Detroit Pistons. He has worn this number consistently throughout his NBA career with the team, establishing it as his professional identity. It has become the number fans associate with the Pistons' cornerstone player.

Cade Cunningham Awards and Achievements

Cade Cunningham's personal life is grounded by his family, especially his role as a father. He gives credit to his young daughter as his biggest motivation. While Riley primarily lives in Texas, Cade maintains a strong bond with her, occasionally attending his games. In the NBA, Cunningham quickly gained recognition. He was a consensus All-American as a freshman at Oklahoma State, much like past NBA stars such as Kevin Durant during their NCAA days

He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 2022. Building on this, he achieved his first NBA All-Star selection in 2025 and, notably, was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2025, a significant achievement that triggered a $45 million bonus in his contract. He's also among a select few rookies to average 17 points, 5 assists, and 5 rebounds, joining elite company like LeBron James.