Cade Cunningham always had big dreams while growing up in Dallas. In second grade, being a billionaire topped his wish list.
Cunningham later expressed a desire to be an NBA player — a dream he ultimately manifested into reality. Cunningham’s NBA stardom led to his appearance on “The Tonight Show” starring Jimmy Fallon on Sunday night at the Detroit Opera House. The show was broadcast on Monday night.
“(Growing up), I loved the game then. I liked multiple sports, but I just loved basketball,” Cunningham said on the show. “Basketball was just different.”
Cunningham and Fallon discussed a variety of topics, ranging from the excitement surrounding the Detroit Pistons’ upcoming season to the NBA’s return to NBC. During the interview, the highlight was when Cunningham gave Fallon a pair of Cartier sunglasses.
The moment came when Fallon revisited Cunningham’s draft night, when the Pistons selected the former Oklahoma State prospect with the No. 1 pick in 2021.
“I’m from Texas, so Michigan is very different. The Pistons are such a historic franchise; I just wanted to be a part of that,” Cunningham said. “I speak for the whole city, we are so happy to have you in Detroit.”
Along with Cunningham, Detroit native Keegan-Michael Key was also featured as a guest. They competed in a lip sync battle, which Key won by performing a couple of Motown classics. Key also quizzed Fallon on a few street names.
The show ended with Aidan Hutchinson gifting Fallon the Week 2 game ball after the Detroit Lions’ 52-21 win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Prior to the taping of the show, Fallon was in attendance at Ford Field celebrating the Lions‘ blowout win alongside Key.
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