Oklahoma State parts ways with Cannen Cunningham (SHOCKER!)

@CadeCunningham_

Before I give you this information, you probably need to take a seat. Maybe take a deep breath, pour yourself a glass of water. It may be a lot to handle at once, so just take it easy.

OK, here goes nothing.

Oklahoma State has mutually decided to part ways with assistant coach Cannen Cunningham after just two years on staff. Yes, the same Cannen Cunningham who was instrumental in the recruitment of his brother, former No. 1 overall recruit Cade Cunningham, the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.

Just over one week after the Oklahoma State superstar declared for the draft, the assistant coach has reportedly decided to step down from his position and take over as Cunningham’s manager as he takes the next step in his basketball career in the NBA.

Pistols Firing Blog was the first to break the news of the mutual parting of ways.

Breaking: #OKState assistant basketball coach Cannen Cunningham and OSU have mutually parted ways.

Cannen is off to help manage Cade Cunningham's NBA career.https://t.co/vwVc0IZ2nO

— Marshall Scott (@MarshallScottOK) April 9, 2021

Oklahoma State head coach Mike Boynton hired Cannen back on July 25, 2019, right in the heat of the five-star guard’s recruitment. Cunningham cut his list down to five just one week later on August 1, with OK State, Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina and Washington remaining in contention.

John Calipari visited Cunningham four times in just six weeks from September 9 to October 21, with Tony Barbee also visiting the five-star guard individually on Oct. 3. Cunningham’s official visit to Lexington was also smack dab in the middle of the recruiting madness, taking a trip to UK on Oct. 11.

Despite Kentucky’s full-court press, Cunningham ultimately committed to Oklahoma State on November 5.

“I thank God for blessing me with this opportunity and those close to me for their love and support during this journey,” Cunningham said in his commitment video. “I loved all the schools I visited, and I appreciate each program for investing their time and energy into me. To be honest, I was this close to picking a different school, but blood is always thicker than water. Go Pokes.”

In an interview with Cats Illustrated insider David Sisk, former college basketball insider Corey Evans said that Cunningham was actually set to commit to Kentucky during his official visit for Big Blue Madness.

“Yes, he was as close as you could get to committing during the visit to Kentucky,” Evans told Sisk. “It took his mom and family pulling him off and kind of seeing the whole picture, and not just going off immediate reaction and committing.”

Instead, it was Cunningham’s brother that put the Cowboys over the top, a hiring that would pay off in a major way for the 2020-21 season. The former five-star prospect went on to average 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists en route to NABC National Freshman of the Year and Wooden All-America honors, helping lead Oklahoma State to a 21-9 overall record and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The 6-foot-7 freshman is expected to be taken No. 1 overall in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft.

One year on staff to recruit his brother to the program, one year to coach him in Stillwater. Gone immediately after.

Color me shocked.