NCAA Basketball: Top 5 candidates for National Freshman of the Year

Cade Cunningham | 6’8 Wing/Forward| Oklahoma State Cowboys

Cade Cunningham and the Oklahoma State Cowboys have already taken the Big 12 Conference by storm in 2020-21. They might be 1-2 in conference play right now, but they’ve lost two games by a combined four points against the TCU Horned Frogs and Texas Longhorns. Those are two teams that will certainly get their best again when they see them again in February.

The Cowboys got a marquee win over the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 82-77 in overtime, to get their first victory in conference action. Cunningham made some pivotal free throws to send the game to overtime and finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and four assists before fouling out.

Cunningham is 6-foot-8 hybrid forward that’s flourishing at multiple roles on both ends for Oklahoma State. He’s putting up 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 43.8 percent from the field and 365.4 percent from behind the arc.

He’s allowed himself to be utilized at multiple positions this season and it’s working out in the results column. While he can score on all three levels, it’s the little things like playmaking and defending that should boost his stock as National Freshman of the Year.