Cade Cunningham Draws Grant Hill Comparision From NBA Insider
The Projected number one pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Cade Cunningham, draws numerous comparisons to the third pick in the 2018 draft Luka Doncic.
According to Callie Caplan of The Dallas Morning News, Cunningham was asked, to switch small forward to point guard midway through his Arlington Bowie High School career.
Cade was against it at first, but his older brother Cannen Cunningham could see his court vision, size, and basketball IQ would benefit from switching positions.
Cunningham could not foresee the comparisons to Doncic back then, but now here we are. However, are these comparisons really accurate?
“The same doubts about Luka’s athleticism and his translation to the NBA are some of the same doubts that people have about Cade,” ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla said. “He’s not going to jump over tall buildings. He’s not super explosive, but his size and strength and basketball acumen — [that’s] where he’s very similar to Luka. “Why Luka made such an easy transition into the league is Luka may not be what we would think of as a great athlete, like a run-and-jump athlete, but … very few players in the NBA have the quickness of mind to see things before they happen the way Luka has.”
Luka Doncic is not the only comparable player to Cade Cunningham’s game. If you ask legendary trainer Mark Edwards, he will tell you he sees some Grant Hill in his game as well.
“They have the same build look at their broad shoulders that point-forward type of player. Grant Hill is more explosive, but Cade, he just fits the description as well,” said Edwards.
“And this is not to pigeonhole Cade to see the type of player he is going to be, but it is a good mirror comparison. However, Grant was a little bit more athletic, but there is no telling Cade is going to be.”
The Detriot Pistons just secured the number one pick in this year’s draft after the NBA Draft Lottery selection on ESPN Tuesday night. Ironically, The Pistons also drafted Hill third in 1994 draft.
Cade averaged 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game in 27 games last season for Oklahoma State University.
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
