Friday, July 17, 2020

A perfect combo no. 1 recruit Cade Cunningham and Mike Boynton share a special connection

Courtney Bay/OSU athletics

C OV E R S T O RY

O S U bas k e t ba l l

Column: Mike Boynton and Cade Cunningham are a match made in heaven S u deep tu m m a, Sports Editor, @Askt umma

coach who doesn’t have a winning

ningham fits the exact makeup

that sense of family over the

pedigree.

of a player who belongs in this

chance to go to March Mad-

program.

ness. And even if the Cowboys

Boynton’s high-character is lauded by people all across the

Cade Cunningham is coming to Stillwater. Just think about that for a second.

The No. 1-ranked recruit in the nation and potential 2021 No. 1 NBA draft pick is joining an OSU program that’s had some serious struggles the past few seasons.

That being said, this isn’t the first time an elite prospect is shying away from an upper-echelon team to join a program of OSU’s caliber, but the situation is a bit mind-boggling.

Cunningham committed to a program with a coach that’s not only struggled since taking over but is also still unproven.

We’ve seen coaches take over bad programs and get high-level recruits within a few years, but those coaches already had a winning pedigree from their past history. Boynton has no record to back up his claims.

Then, OSU was hit with Level I sanctions that included a postseason ban in 2021. From a pure basketball perspective, frankly, there wasn’t a lot of appeal to this program.

Yet, Cunningham stayed.

Let’s put this all in perspective.

While OSU has a top-5 recruiting class now, Cunningham committed when only Rondel Walker was a part of the 2021 class.

While Cunningham surely knew his presence would spring others to also join, there was still some uncertainty.

Still, Cunningham stuck with his commitment. Even as OSU took a tumble in Big 12 play, even as the sanctions were levied, Cunningham wanted to be a part of this program.

And it wasn’t just because of the talent around him, it was because of that same unproven

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

Boynton’s program is built on

aren’t allowed to go to the NCAA

country. Even analysts, reports,

four pillars: respect, appreciation,

tournament this season, he said it

coaches, whoever, that don’t know

discipline and accountability — a

wouldn’t bother him.

Boynton and this OSU program

testament, once again, to the man

in-depth, know about his sense of

Boynton is.

morals, ethics and values.

But like we talked about be-

It’s that persona, which has

fore, even with all those off-court

I have a hard time wrapping my head around that as I type it out.

A player of that caliber, who’s

allowed him to win over these

sentiments, athletes want to put

likely only going to be in college

highly-touted prospects and sway

themselves in the best position to

for one year, won’t have the

them from joining blue bloods to

succeed above all else. For most

chance to play for that highly-

come to Stillwater.

players, OSU wouldn’t fit that

coveted honor. Crazy.

When you talk to any of these players, they’ll constantly talk

blueprint.

Mike Boynton and Cade Cunningham share a special con-

TC BREWSTER

about their admiration for “coach nection.

Cunningham is not most.

When the initial sanctions hit,

And I say “likely” for a reason.

“The NBA is the end goal for me,” Cunningham said. “Hope-

B.” It’s the same reason that — in

seek trades, sign with other teams,

Boynton immediately called all

fully, it’s in one year, but if it’s

the wake of these sanctions — all

transfer to better programs — that

With just about every question

his players, told them the exact

not, I’m comfortable with the

but two of his players left. And

sense of loyalty to your coach/

that revolved around his decision

scenario and that OSU might not

people that I’m around. I’m com-

one of them was out of the rota-

GM/team doesn’t exist in the

to stay, Cunningham circled it

win the case. He was truthful

fortable that — if I stay here four

tion by the end of last season.

same light it used.

back to Boynton’s character and

with his players, and Cunningham

years, I would be just as happy as

the family sense with his team.

loved that.

I am going into this year.”

The person Boynton is has been well-documented, but what people haven’t really dived into

But Cunningham isn’t of that same mold.

And it goes further than that.

“The team, when they were on

His decision to stay at OSU

“There’s not a lot of coaches

Four years? That generational

my visit, we all went to his house,

I could think of that would tell

talent is ready to stay four years?

yet is who Cunningham is off the

speaks volumes, but there’s

and the team knew every inch of

a recruit, ‘Do what you want to

I mean, has he seen the same

court.

another event that perfectly

the house like they’ve been there

do, Imma help you if you want

highlight tape I have?

encapsulates my point.

a thousand times,” Cunningham

to leave,’” Cunningham said.

said. “On your visits, you can tell

“You’re not going to hear that

We all see the Ben Simmonsesque playmaking ability, the

As soon as the postseason ban

That’s a new type of humble.

Regardless, his righteous

highlight-reel dunks and people

news broke out, there was heavy

when a team is uncomfortable

from anyone else. That meant a

attitude and genuine sense of mor-

across the nation going crazy

debate across the nation whether

like, ‘We don’t ever do this. Why

whole lot to me because I knew

als appear to mesh perfectly with

over his basketball skills, but

Cunningham would stay or leave.

are we making this time so special

he really cared about me as a

Boynton. It’s already been put to

Cunningham is also just a person.

All eyes were on his Twitter ac-

for this recruit.’

person instead of just the player

the test and sustained the heat.

He makes decisions as any person

count, curious to see what he was

would.

thinking.

On a Zoom call with reporters on July 8, Cunningham shared the story of how Boynton was the first

“You can tell, and the team was acting like, ‘This is what

What did he post? A Tweet that said “Black Lives Matter!”

“I knew that it was the perfect

that I am.”

Most people in Cunningham’s

Then on the court, Cunningham praised Boynton for his

we do, and I guess Cade is here

shoes would draw that same

this time.’ I feel like that meant a

conclusion, but I don’t think many

“great basketball mind.”

whole lot to me. It’s just the little

would make the same decision

coach would be happy to have

he did.

an elite playmaker such as Cun-

When we talk about fit, any

person to offer him a scholarship

time to do it because it’s some-

stuff that was super important to

prior to Cunningham even playing

thing that I really believed in,”

me.”

a game as a freshman. Which is

Cunningham said. “The NCAA

Cunningham said he never

school that hasn’t made it past

defensive prowess should be a

crazy because Cunningham wasn’t

sanctions had just come down,

truly considered going to the G

the second round of the NCAA

staple for the defensive-minded

getting any recruiting attention at

and I knew everybody was look-

League or overseas because he

tournament in 15 years for a

Boynton.

the time, he was a no-name fresh-

ing at my page ready for anything

hadn’t built a real connection with

coach that doesn’t have a winning

There’s not much to try to

man who was actually a small

so I feel like that was the best

a coach.

track with a program that just got

justify how the No. 1 recruit will

forward at the time.

time for me to let my views on

Which is so heart-warming.

hit with a postseason ban. That’s a

fit with any team, but to keep that

things be known.”

Throughout the entire call,

really difficult decision.

player despite everything that’s

Boynton found Cunningham before he was a 5-star dominat-

Talk about using a platform.

it was so easy to pick up on his

ing ESPN. But the sad part is,

It takes a certain level of

humble nature. Whether it’s

It’s tough to commit to a

But for Cunningham, it took one day. One day.

happened off the court is truly remarkable.

that sentimental value often isn’t

maturity to make a decision like

shying away from compliment-

enough anymore.

that, but Cunningham had the

ing himself to give teammates

ningham knew exactly where

alty, it speaks to the bond Boyn-

It’s no secret, loyalty is dis-

After about 24 hours, Cun-

nigham, but the star point guard’s

It speaks to more than just loy-

foresight to garnish change for the

credit or saying “thank you” and

— rather, who — he wanted to

ton and Cunningham have formed

sipating in sports. Whether it’s

movement. That tells you exactly

“I appreciate you” to reporters

play for.

the past four years. A bond that

college or professional, players

the type of person he is.

after they asked questions, Cun-

OCOLLY.COM

Cunningham said he valued

makes these two inseparable.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

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FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

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Horoscope

Los Angeles Times Daily Crossword Puzzle Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Lewis

By Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency Todays Birthday (07/17/20). Win through collaboration this year. Grow stronger together with focused coordination. Imagination and creativity feed your studies.

Personal accomplishments this summer motivates solutions with a partner. A restful winter with peaceful reflection recharges you for powerful growth with work, health and fitness. Share your love.

To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19) — Today is an 8 — Share and network. Focus on practical priorities with a creative project. Distractions abound and could be lovely or even profitable. Make a delightful connection.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) — Today is a 9 — Sort resources to predict upcoming cash flow. Push to advance a profitable initiative. Stick to basic objectives. Avoid nebulous speculation and focus on short-term objectives.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Today is an 8 — Luxuriate by taking extra time for yourself. An obstacle prevents advancing personal dreams. Enjoy a sweet private moment. Tranquility and beauty feed your spirit.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Today is a 7 — Nurture yourself with nourishing rituals and meditation. Roll with changes. Review plans and adjust. Private contemplation can inspire creative insights. Rest and recharge.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Today is a 7 — Consider all possibilities to resolve a team challenge. Share resources, tools and support. Strengthen structures. Reinforce guidelines for best practices. Push for common gain.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Today is a 7 — Career dreams could seem distant.

Make an artistic beginning. Keep taking small steps forward. Find hidden beauty where least expected. Look for how best to contribute.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) — Today is an 8 — Educational opportunities to pursue a passion are worth pursuing. Learn new tricks. Old dreams seem obstructed. Invent to take advantage of unplanned opportunities. Explore.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) — Today is an 8 — Offer encouragement to support your team with shared financial goals. Avoid risky business or speculative fantasies.

Don’t stir jealousies. Doubts interfere with progress. Relax.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) — Today is an 8 — Your greatest strength is love.

Connect with your partner. Collaborate and brainstorm. Invent new possibilities together. Choose and schedule practical actions.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Today is an 8 — Physical work and fitness routines provide satisfying results. Avoid nebulous tricks or directions. Stick to solid ground. Slow for tight corners. Practice pays off.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) — Today is an 8 — Discover a mutual attraction. Find yourself drawn magnetically toward a shared passion. A romantic dream or ideal seems nebulous. Prioritize practical moves. Follow your heart.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) — Today is an 8 — Make a beautiful domestic transformation. Old fears dissipate. Focus on short-term needs. Restore order to a chaotic situation. Support family thriving. Provide harmony.

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2020

FOR RELEASE JULY 17, 2020

Level 1

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7/17/20

Solution to Thursday’s puzzle

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9.

For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit sudoku.org.uk

© 2020 The Mepham Group. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency. All rights reserved.

ACROSS 1 Sticking point?

5 Mixed __ 10 Surveillance network, briefly 14 Adonis 15 Finals, e.g.

16 Vibe 17 Minty green cocktail?

20 Plunging neckline type 21 Island chain 22 Annoying 23 Not an exact fig.

25 __ King Cole 27 Easier to swallow?

36 Panache 37 Número after cero 38 “Gypsy” (2008) Tony winner 39 Airs 41 Pinnacle 43 “The Goldfinch” novelist Donna 44 Code prohibiting singing?

46 Trashy newspaper 48 Hard to find 49 Puritan preacher involved in the Salem Witch Trials?

52 Old records 53 Bobs and weaves 54 Eye color 58 “Barry” channel 60 Major religion of Indonesia 65 1934 Oscarnominated film whose title hints at the wordplay in three other long answers 68 Rackets 69 Yankee Candle emanation 70 Retailer with a meatball recipe to make at “höme” 71 Nervous 72 Frisky swimmer 73 Whimper DOWN 1 Libya neighbor 2 Deceptive ploy 3 Poker entry fee 4 Sitcom radio station

7/17/20

By Nancy Stark and Will Nediger

5 Brave adversary?

6 Over the moon 7 Take a risk 8 “Feeling good” 9 E-cig’s lack 10 Sleeveless garment 11 Starbucks stack 12 Cause of blisters, perhaps 13 Your mileage may __ 18 Word after bowl or blow 19 Decline to participate 24 Early Beatle Sutcliffe 26 Oft-torn knee part 27 “Lion’s share” originated from a story of his 28 NBA replay aid 29 Group of pundits 30 Seeing red 31 Demi of “Ghost” 32 Separated 33 Word from the Hebrew for “teaching” 34 __ nous 35 Discourage

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

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40 Designer McCartney 42 “Please repeat that?”

45 Egyptian viper 47 Controversial food letters 50 Many a souvenir 51 “That’ll be the day!”

54 Conceal 55 Surrounded by

7/17/20

56 “Oh snap!”

57 Handmade goods website 59 Abrupt dismissal 61 __ to none: bad odds 62 Go for 63 Several 64 Event with courses 66 Eastern “way” 67 Shell mover