Big 12 Basketball: Ranking of 25 best players from last decade (2013-23)

7. Cade Cunningham

Oklahoma State has by no means been a bad basketball program recently, but things certainly take an uptick when you have the nation’s top prospect on your roster. Cunningham, a 6’8 guard from Arlington, Texas, was the top-ranked recruit in the Class of 2020 and certainly showed that talent and ability, helping head coach Mike Boynton to what remains his only trip to the Big Dance.

Cunningham’s only collegiate season was pretty spectacular, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game for the Cowboys. He had a 40-point effort in an overtime road win over Oklahoma, made 40% of his 3-pointers on the year, and came just short of leading Oklahoma State to the Big 12 Tournament title. As previously mentioned, he led the Cowboys to the NCAA Tournament, falling in the second round to Oregon State.

Cunningham had just the one year in the Big 12 but what a year it was. He was a First Team All-American and won both Big 12 Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year. He was nominated for many other awards and was the top scorer in the Big 12 that year. Cunningham produced a lot of offense and improved the play of those around him, really living up to his billing as a top prospect. A few months later, he was off to the NBA as the top pick in 2021.