5-star Naas Cunningham makes OTE debut; says four schools sticking out
Naas Cunningham came in at No. 12 in the updated 2024 On3 150. This summer, the New Jersey native transferred to the Atlanta-based Overtime Elite (OTE) program under scholarship. In his debut last week with the YNG Dreamerz OTE team, Cunningham finished 1-of-7 from the field for three points in 11:55 minutes of play.
“It was a big transition from high school to here,” Cunningham told On3. “It’s a lot different, a lot more competition as well, but I think it’s helping me a lot. I would say my strong suits are probably my shooting, and I’m working on my ball handling and creating off the dribble. I watch a lot of Jayson Tatum; he’s a big guard.”
Cunningham played up with the NY Renaissance program on Nike’s EYBL 17u Circuit. The 6-foot-7 wing averaged 11.6 points this summer. On3 caught up with Naas Cunningham at the recent OTE Opening Night to talk recruitment.
“I would say Texas, Duke, Arkansas, and Kansas are hitting me the hardest right now,” Cunningham said.
Cunningham talks schools
Texas: “They’re really just trying to build a relationship with my family, letting me know that they’re interested.”
Duke: “I grew up watching Duke; a lot of great players came outta there. The coaching staff also trying to build a relationship with me and my family, and it’s going well so far.”
Kansas: “I haven’t looked much into Kansas. That’s something I’m going to look forward to because it’s a school I’m interested in as well. But that’s, that’s something that I have to do on my own time.”
Arkansas: ” They’re trying to build a relationship with me and my family, letting me know they’re interested.”
In Cunningham’s words
“Right now, I’m still feeling it out,” Cunningham said. “I’m enjoying it with my family, and then as the time comes, I’m gonna start narrowing down schools and whatnot.
“I’ll look at my relationship with the coaching staff and who I’ll be playing with. Academics will play a role and the history of the school, too.”
Scouting report
Naas Cunningham is a long, rangy, and athletic wing prospect. You first notice the frame, he looks like a basketball player. Offensively, Cunningham is an adept shot-making, extending out to three, off the catch. He will need to continue putting on weight and getting stronger. He is an explosive athlete, which he shows in transition. His length, positional size, and quick-twitch athleticism give the belief he can become a good team defender in time. Would like to see him attack the basket more, his tendency to settle for jump shots render him inefficient and ineffective at times, but he does have an ability to create space and knock down shots. His flashes will need to start turning into consistency and production, but his flashes can be impressive and his upside is high.