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How Raptors Star Reacted to Cade Cunningham’s Massive Accomplishment

Scottie Barnes showed love to Cade Cunningham recently.
Justin Grasso|
Jan 11, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
Jan 11, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (2) drives past Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes (4) in the second quarter at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images | Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images

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Detroit PistonsToronto Raptors

It’s been quite the season for Detroit Pistons guard, Cade Cunningham.

Heading into the 2024-2025 NBA season, Cunningham made it clear that he had a personal goal in mind. He wanted to become an NBA All-Star for the first time.

Later this month, Cunningham will throw on the All-Star threads, and the NBA world has shown plenty of support for the Pistons star. That includes Toronto Raptors star Scottie Barnes.

Not long after Cunningham’s All-Star nod was revealed, Barnes took to Instagram to show love to his former teammate.

@ya.boy.scottie: brotha

Cunningham and Barnes once shared the court as teammates at the famous Montverde Academy in high school. They both committed to their colleges in 2019.

Barnes took the route of heading to Florida State. Cunningham took his talents to Oklahoma State.

At the time, they were both Top 10 candidates on major recruiting platforms and were expected to be one-and-done prospects.

Sure enough, that was the case. Barnes played 24 games at FSU, posting averages of 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

Cunningham appeared in 27 games, putting up 20 points per game, along with six rebounds and three assists.

The Pistons landed Cunningham with the No. 1 overall pick. Barnes was taken by the Raptors three picks later, at fourth overall. Despite going after Cunningham, Barnes took home the NBA’s Rookie of the Year trophy. He also achieved an All-Star nod last season for the first time.

While Barnes didn’t get his second nod this year, he’s happy that Cunningham landed his first.

The event will take place on Sunday, February 16 at 8 PM ET.

More Pistons on SI

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Andre Drummond Reveals Big Regret From Pistons Days

2 Players Named NBA All-Star Starters Over Cade Cunningham

NBA Writer Makes Case for Cade Cunningham as MVP Candidate

Former NBA Executive Gets Honest on Pistons’ Trade Plans

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Justin Grasso
JUSTIN GRASSO

Justin Grasso was a credentialed writer and publisher covering the Philadelphia 76ers for Sports Illustrated’s 76ers On SI Network. Grasso got his start in sports media in 2016 with FantasyPros, working the news desk, providing game-by-game player analysis and updates on the Portland Trail Blazers and the Golden State Warriors. By 2017, he joined FanSided’s Philadelphia Eagles site as a staff writer. After spending one season covering the Eagles as a staff writer, Grasso was promoted to become the site’s Co-Editor. For the next two NFL seasons, he covered the Eagles closely before broadening his NFL coverage. For a brief stint, Grasso covered the NFL on a national basis after joining Heavy.com as an NFL news desk writer. In 2019, Grasso joined the 76ers' beat on a part-time basis, stepping into a role with South Jersey’s 97.3 ESPN. Ahead of the 2019-2020 NBA season, he concluded a three-year stint covering the Eagles and joined the Sixers beat full-time. Grasso has covered the 76ers exclusively since then for Sports Illustrated. He is a member of the Pro Basketball Writers Association. Twitter: @JGrasso_ Instagram: @JGrassoMedia

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