Cade Cunningham Named All-Star Starter, Capping Breakout Season in Detroit
Cade Cunningham just added another milestone to a season that’s already been one for the books. The Detroit Pistons guard has been named a starter for the 2026 NBA All-Star Game - a historic first for both Cunningham and Oklahoma State, where he played his college ball. This marks the first time an Oklahoma State alum has earned a starting nod in the All-Star Game, and it’s a fitting honor for a player who’s elevated both his game and his team to new heights.
Let’s be clear: this isn’t just a popularity pick. Cunningham is putting together the best season of his young career, and the numbers back it up.
Through 35 games, he’s averaging 25.9 points, six rebounds, and 9.6 assists per game - a stat line that speaks to his all-around impact. But what’s really turning heads is what he’s doing for the Pistons as a team.
Detroit currently sits atop the Eastern Conference standings, holding a 4.5-game lead over second-place Boston. Yes, the Detroit Pistons - a franchise that’s spent the last few seasons in rebuild mode - are leading the East, and Cunningham is the engine behind that rise.
The All-Star starters are selected through a weighted voting system: 50% from fans, 25% from players, and 25% from media. That means Cunningham didn’t just win a popularity contest - he earned respect across the board. It’s a testament to how his game has matured and how his leadership is resonating not just in Detroit, but league-wide.
This isn’t Cunningham’s first All-Star appearance - he made the team as a reserve last season - but this year’s selection carries a different weight. He’s not just part of the show; he’s front and center. And it comes on the heels of his All-NBA Third Team selection in the 2024-25 season, a sign that his trajectory has been steadily climbing.
The All-Star Game is set for Sunday, February 15 at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, with the Los Angeles Clippers playing host. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
CST. With Cunningham now officially among the league’s elite, all eyes will be on how he represents the East - and how far he can take this surging Pistons squad in the second half of the season.
Eastern Conference All-Star Starters:
- G Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons)
- G Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)
- G Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers)
- G/F Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics)
- PF Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
The West starters are still to be announced, but one thing’s already clear - the East has a new face leading the charge, and his name is Cade Cunningham.