NBA Rumors: Projected No. 1 Pick Has 'Striking Similarities' With Luka Doncic

The 2021 NBA Draft may have a player who could be the "new Luka Doncic."

Undeniably, Doncic has become one of the greatest players in the NBA today.

The Dallas Mavericks superstar’s unorthodox playing style made him exceptionally unique, which could be the reason why comparisons to his game hardly come by.

However, Oklahoma State Cowboys star Cade Cunningham seemingly presents a strong case.

The projected No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft has “striking similarities” with Doncic, according to CBS Sports’ Colin Ward-Henninger.

Based on the said analysis, from the listed measurements to playing style, Cunningham truly resembles Doncic.

Cunningham is standing at 6-foot-8 and weighs about 220 pounds, a figure identical to Doncic’s, who is 6-foot-7 and 230.

Moreover, it was noted that “both are big point guards who don't possess elite speed or leaping ability.”

Further backing the claim, the report stressed some specific resemblance in the pair’s game.

Apparently, both Cunningham and Doncic are efficient in calling “Pick-and-Roll” plays as they “allow things to unfold before making a decision.”

The two guards also have also utilized the “step-back” jumper in hitting three-pointers.

Doncic has improved his accuracy from beyond the arc from 32% in his first two seasons to 36 to date.

Cunningham, on the other hand, has shot 40% from deep on 5.7 attempts per game while constantly demonstrating the ability to hit step-back trifectas.

Another notable resemblance mentioned is the pair’s “ Third-Level Passing,” the ability to complete a split-second play while being contested mid-air.

What’s even more interesting is that even Cunningham himself admitted that much of his game was inspired by Doncic.

“LeBron [James] has been probably my biggest influence just throughout my childhood, just because he’s been the best since I’ve been around and watching basketball,” Cunningham told reporters last year. “But right now I watch a whole bunch of Luka Doncic.”

“I grew up in Dallas, so Dirk [Nowitzki] was my guy and now Luka’s the new Dallas Mavs guy,” he continued. “So Luka, and we have a pretty similar body type. So probably Luka right now.”

Despite all the analysis on Cunningham’s game, Oklahoma State Cowboys head coach Mike Boynton is certain his star guard is a cut above the rest because of his “humility.”

"I think it’s more character than anything,” Boynton told 247 Sports of Cunningham last month. “He’s got a great level of humility, which not a lot of young people understand — and it’s not their fault."

"They just don’t know any better, it takes time to mature into that, but his humility for the game and for people is what really separates him in my mind from a lot of guys his age.”