Cade Cunningham vs. Jalen Green Will Be an Enticing Battle for Years to Come

Tuesday night’s Summer League game between the Detroit Pistons and the Houston Rockets pitted this year’s top two draft picks against each other. 2nd overall selection Jalen Green recorded 25 points in a 111-91 victory for the Rockets, while top pick Cade Cunningham led the Pistons with 20 points. With the careers of these young stars just beginning, it’s safe to say the two hyped up prospects will have many more marquee matchups in the future.

👀 @JalenGreen (25 PTS) and @CadeCunningham_ (20 PTS) dueled in their first pro matchup as the 2021 top 2 overall Draft picks! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/rkWgJIzNXJ
— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2021

INTERESTING FACTS

Cade was the highest rated recruit to ever sign with Oklahoma State, widely regarded as #1 prospect in the country
Green was the 1st recruit to commit to the G-League Ignite program; chose professional route over Auburn
G-League had multiple players (Green and Kuminga) selected in the 1st Round for the 1st time in history
Detroit Pistons picked No. 1 overall for the 1st time since 1970 and the 3rd time in franchise history

MAIN TAKEAWAY

CUNNINGHAM VS. GREEN WILL BE AN ENTICING BATTLE FOR YEARS TO COME

Very rarely in the NBA do both the 1st and 2nd overall picks live up to their draft positions. In 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers famously selected Greg Oden with the No. 1 pick over 11x All-Star Kevin Durant, who was taken with the next pick by the Seattle Supersonics. This year has the potential to be much different, as Cade Cunningham and Jalen Green both showed out in the Summer League and both have the tools to develop into All-Stars for their respective franchises.

Tuesday’s contest was not just a battle between the top two picks; it was also a first look into the Rookie of the Year race and the start of potential MVP careers. If their first head-to-head matchup was any indication, Cunningham and Green will be entertaining NBA fans when they play each other for many years where All-NBA spots, or final selections on All-Star teams could be up for grabs with Cade vs. Green being the battle to decide it.

BEST HIGHLIGHTS

Green drained it in Cade’s face

Jalen Green drains it from downtown 🔥

He's got 25 PTS on the night!#NBASummer pic.twitter.com/SIp3CfTIFH
— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 11, 2021

Jalen reached so Cade teached

Cade out here snatching ankles 😳#NBASummer pic.twitter.com/ZzQWYNZIyj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) August 11, 2021

Epic battle between top 2 picks

👀 @JalenGreen (25 PTS) and @CadeCunningham_ (20 PTS) dueled in their first pro matchup as the 2021 top 2 overall Draft picks! #NBASummer pic.twitter.com/rkWgJIzNXJ
— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2021