City, Arlington ISD Recognize NBA All-Star Cade Cunningham
Published on December 19, 2025
Editor's Note: This article, originally published on Aug. 28, 2025, was updated Dec. 19, 2025, to add details about Bowie High School retiring Cade Cunningham's jersey number.
By Arlington Parks, Recreation & Culture Communications
Arlington native and NBA All-Star Cade Cunningham has been recognized by both the City of Arlington and Arlington ISD this year for his accomplishments on the court, from his high schools to today.
In August, Cunningham joined Parks officials and community members to unveil a brand-new outdoor basketball court and six professional-level basketball standards at the City of Arlington's Cravens Park. The new park amenity, named the Cade Cunningham Community Court, was fully funded by Cunningham and his family. Then four months later, the Detroit Pistons guard returned home to Arlington for Bowie High School's retirement of his basketball jersey number.
About Cade Cunningham Community Court
Basketball players of all ages are enjoying the new court at Cravens Park, 400 Cravens Park Dr. Installed by NexCourt, features a high-performance, shock-absorbing surface designed for outdoor play, along with pro-quality rims and backboards. The investment ensures residents have access to a top-tier facility for both recreation and competitive play.
Mayor Jim Ross commemorated the opening of the court on Aug. 17, 2025, by proclaiming the date as "Cade Cunningham Day in Arlington." Hundreds of community members attended the celebration, which featured bounce houses, food trucks, t-shirt giveaways, and basketball exhibitions—including action from Cunningham himself. The new court stands as a lasting tribute to Cunningham’s hometown pride and his commitment to inspiring the next generation of 817 athletes.
“I couldn’t have imagined anything like this,” said Cunningham at the celebration. “This amount of love is special to me. Special to my family. From the bottom of our hearts, we really do appreciate it.”
He added, “We hope that this court uplifts the community. Hopefully, it makes the city of Arlington a better place to come work on their dreams and get on the court. I came here (Cravens Park) as a kid, was able to work on my game, and hopefully the next generation can follow my path.”
Bowie High School Retires Cunningham's Jersey
Then on Dec. 17, 2025, Cunningham attended a special celebration at Bowie High School to retire his jersey. Cunningham attended Bowie from 2016 to 2018, where he played on the varsity basketball team, and also attended Arlington's Larson Elementary and Barnett Junior High.
As Cunningham stood beneath the rafters while his No. 2 jersey was officially retired, the moment carried deep meaning for the educators, coaches, and classmates who watched his journey unfold, Arlington ISD shared in a news release about the event.
“As we stand here today and retire your high school jersey, Cade, know this – your teachers, your administrators, coaches, and your friends will never forget the kid that you were,” Morehead said. “We honor, respect, and love the man you’ve become. This was always who you were destined to be.”
The ceremony concluded with students, staff, Cunningham, and his team standing together to sing the Bowie alma mater, closing the celebration with a moment of shared pride and tradition.
“Cade’s success is a clear message to our students,” said deputy superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collins. “Your goals are valid, your work matters, and your future is wide open.”
As his No. 2 jersey now hangs in Bowie’s gym – a number tied to his name, his childhood, and his journey – Cunningham’s story stands as a reminder to students across Arlington ISD: dreams can start early, stay true, and lead you right back home.