5-star Naasir Cunningham eyeing blue bloods, backing up No. 1 status

Naasir Cunningham won’t arrive on a college campus until the summer of 2024, but schools are already tripping over themselves to recruit the five-star wing.

Standing 6-foot-7, 175 pounds, Cunningham is ranked No. 1 overall in the sophomore class, bringing forth a unique combination of current production and long-term potential. His length and athleticism are impressive as is, allowing him to be two-way threat with strong defensive instincts and finishing ability in transition on offense. He glides across the floor with long strides and boasts a quick first step in the half-court.

That’s just today, though. Cunningham is also working on his ball-handling and shooting as he transitions into more of an on-ball role. Put it all together and you’ve got the makings of a future star.

“My height and my skillset,” Cunningham told KSR at the Hoophall Classic this weekend in Springfield, MA. “I feel like there’s not many players in the country like me where they have the 6-7 frame but the skills to handle the ball like a guard or shoot the ball the way I can shoot the ball. That’s definitely my thing. My height plus my skillset.”

Those tools were put on full display at the Hoophall Classic, one of the most prestigious high school basketball events of the year. In game one, Cunningham finished with 11 points (5-12 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-1 FT), six rebounds, two blocks, one steal, and four turnovers. His shot wasn’t falling and he got sloppy at times, but he was disruptive and engaged on defense, rebounded the ball well and scored in transition.

Just two days later, the five-star wing put together a brilliant all-around performance, one that earned him game MVP honors. He finished that game — against Duke signee Dereck Lively II and his Westtown squad, mind you — with 23 points (8-13 shooting, 5-7 from three), 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and three turnovers in 32 minutes.

It was an effort that had scouts, coaches and national media members in attendance dreaming of the future. If he’s able to do this now as a skinny, raw sophomore, what can he be in college and the pros?

Mission accomplished, says Cunningham.

“It’s definitely my job and my mission to prove that I am what people say I am when I step on the court,” Cunningham told KSR. “If someone says I can’t do this, I want to show that I can do that. Right now, high school is a showcase for what I can do for college coaches. That’s the next step. Right now, it’s a showcase. Winning with my team and showing I can do what I do.”

The current success is valuable and noteworthy, but the long-term potential is the hot topic at hand with the versatile 6-7 wing. He’s not limiting himself to being an off-ball wing with 3&D potential on the perimeter, he wants to be more. While that’s his role now as a sophomore, he wants to slowly transition into being a primary ball-handler as his basketball journey continues.

“Becoming more ball-dominant, running the one,” Cunningham said of his current goals as a player. “I’m more of a wing player right now, but I want to he able to facilitate with the ball and make plays for my teammates, stuff like that. I don’t want to be just a scorer, but also a facilitator.”

He looks at two NBA superstars in particular as models for his craft, both long, athletic guards with size and scoring.

“I model my game after Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant,” he said. “Those are my two favorite players. I like big guards.”

With elite on-court production has come a storm of attention from college coaches, with UCLA, UConn, St. John’s, Rutgers, Nebraska, Creighton, DePaul, Texas Tech, LSU, Maryland, TCU and New Mexico State all extending early offers. Beyond those options, a core trio of blue blood programs has begun reaching out, including the Kentucky Wildcats.

“Besides the schools that offered already, Duke, Kentucky, Michigan, UNC, Illinois,” Cunningham said. “Those are pretty much the basics.”

While he has no early favorites individually, he is intrigued with the idea of suiting up for a blue blood at the next level. Seeing the high-profile players that have found success at each program before going on to become stars in the NBA, it’s a path he could see himself taking.

“Growing up, I was always in love with Duke, Kentucky and UNC because those were the big-name schools. Everyone was always talking about those schools,” he said. “… (It’s) really just the history. All of the players that went through those schools, that’s something that stands out to me. All the pros they’ve produced, it’s clear that something is working at those schools. That’s really appealing.”

As for Kentucky specifically, he said the recruiting process has just begun, with coaches reaching out to his trainers and coaches. Like everyone else, they’re intrigued with the long-term possibilities.

“I haven’t personally spoken with (Kentucky), not sure if my dad has spoken to them either,” Cunningham said. “But my coaches and trainers are telling me that they’ve called. … They say I shoot the ball really well and I guess it’s coming with my height as well. It’s my long-term potential, like everyone else says.”

In terms of visits, Cunningham has taken a handful and has one scheduled to Duke on Friday. From there, he “definitely” wants to plan other visits and take full advantage of the recruiting process.

“I’ve taken a couple,” he told KSR. “I went to UCLA, I went to USC. I went to St. John’s, Rutgers. I’m going to Duke this Friday. That’s all right now, but I definitely want to take more and see more schools.”

Until his recruitment really starts to take off, Cunningham is staying in the gym and working to improve his game. He’s the early No. 1 player in 2024, but his focus is on perfecting his craft, not his ranking.

“I try not to focus on stuff like that,” he said. “I don’t want it to throw me off of my game, I want to stay focused and stay locked in so I try not to focus on stuff like that. Just keep playing my game.

“… My trainer always tells me to focus on my own path. I don’t try to compare myself to anyone. I know if I keep working hard and doing what I’m doing, I’m going the right way.”