Cunningham, a 6-foot-8 guard out of Oklahoma State, becomes the latest part of Detroit’s pursuit of a resurgence.

wilderness, will rest their hopes for a rescue on Cade Cunningham, the 19-year-old Oklahoma State standout guard.

Detroit selected Cunningham with the first pick of Thursday night’s N.B.A.

There’s already a nickname gaining steam for Cunningham in Detroit: “Motor Cade.” After getting drafted, Cunningham, during an on-air interview with ESPN, looked directly into the camera and said: “Detroit Pistons, I’m all the way in.

After the pick, Weaver told reporters that the team had finalized its decision to select Cunningham on Thursday and said that the draft was “a great night for the Pistons.”.

A native of Arlington, Texas, Cunningham played one year at Oklahoma State, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game.

He also comes from a family of athletes: His brother Cannen played basketball at Southern Methodist, and as an assistant coach for Oklahoma State helped recruit him.

1 pick,” Cunningham said last week.

But there were some bright spots, like the play of the 27-year-old forward Jerami Grant, who had a career year, and Killian Hayes, the 20-year-old Pistons lottery pick from last year, who showed spurts of star potential as a point guard.

Two picks later, the Knicks selected guard Keon Johnson, who played one year at Tennessee.