Basketball star Cade Cunningham – perhaps the best recruit in the nation – will honor his commitment to play at Oklahoma State despite the NCAA penalties that prevent post-season play this year.

Cunningham was the top player in OSU’s Top 5 recruiting class. He is considered a top pro prospect and could be in the “one and done” category because of his talent. He could have transferred to another school or played one year in a semi-pro league before joining the NBA – perhaps as the No. 1 pick in 2021. Cunningham is the top-ranked recruit in OSU history.

“I hope that we’ve created a program where guys want to be a part of it, where they feel like they can have success with it,” said OSU coach Mike Boynton. “They’ll be challenged, they’ll be coached, they’ll be loved. I think (it’s) evidenced by the fact that even up until the NCAA announcement, we didn’t have anyone even considering not returning.”

All of the recruits in the incoming class have committed to staying at OSU.

“It’s a testament to the kids that we have in our program and their families,” Boynton said. “But some of the work that the staff does when we get them here and showing them their value, that we’re going to help them get better, that we’re not just going to fall on empty words, that we’re really going to care about them as people when they get here.”

Cunningham had considered the G-League and overseas professional teams but opted to stay at OSU. The NCAA put OSU on three years’ of probation and OSU is appealing the penalties. The penalties involve former assistant head coach Lamont Evans. No current coaches or players were involved.

Cunningham picked the Cowboys after offers from North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky and Washington, in addition to Oklahoma State. Cunningham’s brother, Cannen, is an assistant coach at Oklahoma State. He was hired by Boynton a year ago.

A 6-foot-7 point guard, Cunningham was the Naismith National High School Player of the Year last season after leading Montverde Academy (Florida) to a 25-0 record. He won a gold medal with the USA Basketball U19 National Team, averaging 11.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 4.7 assists at the 2019 FIBA U19 World Cup.

 “I’m not sure there’s a limit on what he could become,” Boynton said. “…I mean, that kid has unbelievable potential. You’re right, his confidence is growing, the success he had as a freshman is one that I’m sure will spill over.

“The opportunity to play with a group of guys that he knows really well from last year, being comfortable in college basketball now and then being infused with, again, Cade’s a unique talent that can help him be even better will really put him in position where I’m not going to go too far, but I’m not sure he’s going to have to spend four years in college before he can go play professional basketball.”