Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver drafted Oklahoma State freshman as the No. 1 pick in the draft despite trade options and a richly talented field..

“A great night for the Pistons,” Weaver said. “We’re thrilled we landed on Cade and excited about him joining the Pistons family. He was always one of the top guys we looked at, but his versatility, the leadership, the connectibility was what really separated him. Look at our team, he’s a human connector – on the floor, off the floor.”

Cunningham wanted to be picked No. 1 and was glad the Pistons won the lottery.

“I’ve been working to be the top guy for a long time,” Cunningham said from New York. “This has been a lifelong dream of mine, something I’ve been working at for a long time. When I heard Detroit had the number one pick, I was ecstatic. You never know who’s going to get it, but I knew Detroit landing that pick, I knew it was possible I was going to be in a situation I could grow in. Finally being picked and Detroit trusting me with his pick, I’m forever grateful for that. I’m excited to show what I’ve got.”

Cunningham joins last year’s four rookie draft picks – Killian Hayes, Isaiah Stewart, Saddiq Bey and Saben Lee. Bey was voted first team All-Rookie and Stewart was second team All-Rookie. Hayes, the seventh pick, missed 41 games with a hip injury and Lee played on a two-way contract but became a rotation fixture by season’s end.

“I’m excited to be able to join that young core and be able to grow with them,” Cunningham said about playing with a roster with 11 players 24 or younger. “I think that’s the biggest thing. I want to hop right in and contribute to the mentality that they go into games with. They want to defend, they want to play hard and that’s what I want to come in and provide for them, as well.”

Hayes is a natural point guard but Cunningham could wind up playing point guard.

“I think me stepping in will help Killian a lot and I think Killian will help me a whole lot,” Cunningham said. “I feel like we’ll take a lot of pressure off each other. Both of us are very capable primary ballhandlers and both of us are capable of playing off the ball and making things happen off the ball. I feel like it will be a good mix.”

Cunningham led Oklahoma State to a 21-9 record, averaging 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game while shooting 40 percent from the 3-point arc in 36 minutes a game. In a March win over eventual national champion Baylor, Cunningham finished with 25 points, eight rebounds and five assists.