Feature: OSU's Cunningham, Waters making their marks in the NBA

Cade Cunningham took the ball at the top of the key, spun to his right over a screen and navigated to the right elbow. After a quick scan of the defense, he lofted an alley-oop to his center, Jalen Duren, for a slam dunk.

A sea of cheers engulfed the arena. Fans, many of them dressed in orange and black, rose in waves.

On the opposing end, Lindy Waters III progressed through his halftime warm-up, running around the arch for moving threes. Bucket after bucket, the back of the net hardly moved.

These types of scenes were commonplace inside the walls of Gallagher-Iba Arena during their Oklahoma State careers, but on this night, the two former Cowboys shared an NBA court, as Cunningham's Detroit Pistons faced Waters' Oklahoma City Thunder in a preseason exhibition at Tulsa's BOK Center.

Though they traveled uniquely different paths to get there, Waters (an undrafted free agent) and Cunningham (the No. 1 overall pick in 2021) have plenty in common. Both third-year pros have experienced adversity in their short careers, and both credit their OSU experience for helping pull them through it.

Returning to Action

Cade Cunningham hit the hardwood a season ago with big-time expectations.

After being selected first by the Pistons in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cunningham lived up to his pre-draft status – notching All-Rookie First Team honors with averages of 17.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.6 assists.

Cunningham seemed poised for a sophomore leap, but his 2022-23 campaign was over almost as soon as it began. A November shin injury sidelined him after just 12 games and ultimately required season-ending surgery.

"It was something that was bothering me for a while," Cunningham said. "I had never done anything so intrusive like having surgery or anything like that. I've never had to miss that much time. It was definitely a mind battle."

As his rehab entered its final stages, Cunningham turned down an invitation to play for Team USA in this summer's FIBA World Cup but couldn't resist the opportunity to take his surgically repaired ankle out for a test spin. He was part of a Select Team that worked out with the 12-man national team in early August, and in two of the scrimmages that were open to media, he put on a show while leading the Select Team to back-to-back wins.

Mike Boynton family with Cade Cunningham

Mike Boynton family with Cade Cunningham

"Cade looked great," Team USA head coach Steve Kerr told media following the Aug. 4 scrimmage. "The injury is clearly behind him. It's just great to see him healthy, and he's a guy who can really control a game from that point guard spot with his size and physicality, and it's good to see him looking so healthy."

That's still the case nearly three months later as Cunningham prepares for his return to the NBA.

He found himself in familiar territory last week when he led the Pistons against the Thunder at the BOK Center. His name drew a rare burst of applause for a visiting player during pregame introductions, helped by a large turnout from the Stillwater faithful.

"Every time I come out here, I get a lot of love, a lot of Oklahoma State love," Cunningham said. "I love playing here and it's always fun to come back."

Cunningham looked like his injury was behind him during play, leading the Pistons to a 118-116 victory over the Thunder. Across his 22 minutes, he showcased elite pick-and-roll knowledge, separation skills and footwork around the basket – the same qualities that made him the No. 1 pick two years ago.

Twenty minutes after the final buzzer, Pistons players and staff rushed through their postgame routines. The team had a flight to catch to Dallas, but its star player needed a few extra minutes. After completing his last media interview, Cunningham made a beeline for the court where OSU head coach Mike Boynton waited to greet him.

"I know he really cares about me," Cunningham said. "He's been there supporting me for a long time. Obviously, he coached me – I've learned a lot from him. The way he protected me and helped me grow as a player while I was at Oklahoma State was huge for me, and I owe him the world."

Now, off the tails of a shortened season, the 22-year-old is fresh and geared up for 82-game action with the Pistons.

"I feel good, and I'm ready to go, Cunningham said."

Capitalizing on the Moment

Lindy Waters III waited for a phone call.

As a well-decorated senior at Oklahoma State, Waters' time with the Cowboys was cut short in March of 2020 due to the Coronavirus. With basketball on hiatus, times were difficult for players looking to work their way into the league. Traditional options such as team workouts, Summer League and fall training camps were wiped out during the offseason, leaving many players, including Waters, on the outer edge.

"Coming out of COVID, there was really nothing," Waters said. "I was just kind of staying in the gym and staying ready for an opportunity, and hopefully at some point, I get a call."

Lindy Waters NBA exhibition

Days turned to months, and months turned into over a year of patiently waiting for Waters. He continued to dedicate time to his craft, awaiting the moment he could return to organized basketball.

That opportunity came in March of 2021 – 384 days from the end of his collegiate basketball career.

Waters signed with The Basketball League's Enid Outlaws midway through its season and was a driving force in the Outlaws' run to winning the league championship, averaging 12.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.9 assists in 17 games. His performance was enough to draw interest from a number of different clubs.

"I played with (Enid) because, mid-season, there was just a lot going on and the only way for me to keep playing was to play with the TBL," Waters III said. "[I wanted] some sort of organized basketball with some competition. I chose that route, and by the end of the season, we won the championship, and I got a call to workout with the Thunder."

Waters was initially headed overseas to play in Spain's second-tier division, the LEB Oro, but parlayed a last-minute workout with the G-League's Oklahoma City Blue into a roster spot. In his first 16 games with the Thunder's minor league affiliate, he shot nearly 50 percent from deep, and quickly earned a call-up and a two-way contract.

"[I was] just being an everyday guy, trying not to worry about the long run and just focusing on what I had to do every day," Waters said. "Just try to be a good person and help others out, and, in return, I felt they gave me an opportunity."

Waters did not let the moment slip by. Since his first NBA appearance on Feb. 11, 2022, the 6-foot-6 sharpshooter has cemented his roster status while serving as a trusty piece within Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault's rotation — netting a multi-year contract upgrade during the 2022-23 season.

"Daigneault loves him," said Boynton. "I've talked to him about him a few times. "He loves the way he feels the game and plays unselfishly. He can really shoot the basketball."

Now, entering his third season, the Norman native is back on his third two-way deal with the organization.

"It's been nothing short of amazing, being able to play for my hometown team, surrounded by my family, while also playing at the highest level in an organization that just holds professionalism at another level," Waters said. "There's nothing better. I found my spot, found my role and now I'm trying to thrive in it."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Feature: OSU's Cunningham, Waters making their marks in the NBA

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