Detroit Pistons big man Jalen Duren praised Cade Cunningham as a basketball player/leader when talking to the press yesterday.
(via Detroit Pistons Content):
On spending more time with Cunningham/their high basketball IQs:
“My thing with Cade was kinda just try to be around him more. Even before USA camp, I went down to Dallas for a couple of days, spent some time with him in his hometown. I know he’s from Arlington, but his home area. We was able to go up and down, and get some open runs in down there, too. So that was really like the introduction to me playing with him and kinda us getting acquainted with each other’s game, and me just learning how to get him open and his spots and everything. I feel like honestly, it clicked early, because of the IQs. I feel like I have a high IQ for the game, and so does he. So I feel like when we’re on the court, both of us try to make the right play, so it just worked out. Going into USA, that showed, and I feel like it’s just gonna continue to grow. Like everything, we’re gonna have our ups and downs with the whole team; but I feel like everything is just gonna keep growing and getting better.”
Discusses Cade’s leadership qualities:
“Even before this year, I knew Cade a little bit in high school. Then, being around him last year, him not being able to hoop, he was in everybody’s ear. So, he was still around. But that guy, he’s a leader, he’s very, very strong willed. And my biggest thing with him is how well he leads. I came in, and me seeing him his second year just how he kinda controlled the gym and was a great leader, a great example. It was huge, so him as a man, he’s a great person.”
