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2020 No. 1 Recruit Cade Cunningham: Kevin Durant's Advice Kept Me on Right Path
May 7, 2020
As Cade Cunningham prepares for his college career, he is getting useful advice from NBA star Kevin Durant.
The point guard prospect discussed his relationship with Durant Thursday:
"Just talking to him, he's just kind of kept me straight, narrow-minded, narrow-sighted and just staying on the right path," Cunningham said of Durant. "Just working out, not really worrying about the outside noise and what everything is going on with social media and everything. Just continue to perfect my craft."
Cunningham, who is headed to Oklahoma State next season, is considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2020 class by 247Sports composite rankings.
The 6'6" guard has the physical tools to be a star in college and the NBA, with the size and athleticism to easily transition to the higher levels.
Still, it's sometimes a challenge for young players to handle the increased scrutiny that comes from stardom. Getting advice from an NBA veteran who has gone through this before is a big advantage for Cunningham.
Durant was also a high-profile recruit out of high school, ranked the No. 2 recruit in the country in the 2006 class behind Greg Oden, per 247Sports. He won the Wooden Award during his lone season at Texas before beginning an outstanding pro career that includes 10 All-Star selections, two NBA titles and one MVP award.
Despite the success, Durant has sometimes been sidetracked by criticism.
He has had notable Twitter rants against fans and fellow players while once forgetting to switch to a burner account to defend himself.
Cunningham will try to stay more focused as he continues his young career.