NBA ALL-STAR RISING STARS

February 18, 2022

Cade Cunningham

Team Barry

Press Conference

Team Barry 25, Team Isiah 20

CADE CUNNINGHAM: Real competition, like you said. So much talent. I feel like it brings -- it keeps the game pure. It's not just like a regular All-Star Game where everybody is not playing defense. Flying around. It was fun.

Q. Do you think it's fair to have the format back next year?

CADE CUNNINGHAM: Yeah, I think it's a pretty good format. I like it.

Q. I was talking with a couple of the assistant coaches, and they were saying that they were taking this game serious, like going over plays and things of that nature. How serious were the staff, and how serious did you guys take this tonight?

CADE CUNNINGHAM: Yeah, they definitely wanted to win, and they let us know that. But I think just the group of guys that they draft and put around each other, we all wanted to win. We all wanted to win and compete. So it was a lot of fun being around them and being around guys that wanted to win as bad as me.

Q. Three guys from Detroit. How did that feel to play with Isaiah (Stewart) and Saddiq (Bey)?

CADE CUNNINGHAM: It was fun. We've been talking trash for two weeks in advance. We've been talking trash. To meet up with them in the championship game was how it was supposed to play out, and now I'm about to flex on them with the win. So I'm excited to get back to Detroit, for sure.

Q. What did you say about Detroit basketball, three young guys here?

CADE CUNNINGHAM: I think it says a lot. Young core. Growing together, learning each other. I think we have a lot of big things in store in the future, for sure.

Q. I know you have played against Evan Mobley a couple of times this year, but teaming up with him in tonight's game and practicing with him earlier today, what stands out about him?

CADE CUNNINGHAM: He is big-time. He can do so many things. I mean, obviously, he is a great player, so to be able to play with him and share this type of stage, All-Star Weekend, it was a lot of fun. The MVP trophy could have went to either one of us, I feel like. I'm sure it meant a lot it him to be able to win it in front of his home fans too.