Big 12 basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2020-2021 NCAA basketball season

Big 12 basketball breakout player: Cade Cunningham, G, Oklahoma State

This one’s pretty obvious right? Cade Cunningham arrives in Stillwater as the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2020 class and will immediately be the focal point of the Oklahoma State offense. Of course, we’ve seen that type of scenario crash and burn (Cole Anthony at UNC last year didn’t work out so well) but it’s difficult to find a scenario outside of injury where that’s the case with Cunningham.

He’s the primary reason that Oklahoma State is the biggest sleeper in the Big 12 because of how dynamic he is. The 6-foot-6 guard has tremendous ability as a creator, both for himself and, perhaps more impressively, for the rest of his teammates. Throw in an improved outside-shooting stroke and prowess as a defender and Cunningham is clearly the real deal.

Furthermore, it actually works in the freshman’s favor that he’s not going to be a one-man show for the Cowboys in the 2020-2021 season. He’s surrounded with a solid roster, as mentioned, which will allow him to be the best version of himself, someone who facilitates just as dangerous as he gets his own shot.

At this point, it would be a bigger shock to see Cunningham not be a star by the end of the year than if he became a household name right away.

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