STARKVILLE — If Mississippi State University junior guard Tyson Cunningham needs a post-graduate recommendation, he only needs to ask MSU coach Rick Ray.
The Bulldogs’ first-year head coach couldn’t be more pleased with the effort and responsibility Cunningham has shown in a trying season.
“If anybody wants to know who to hire on our team, hire Tyson Cunningham,” Ray said. “I don’t care what the job is or what sort of field it’s in.”
There’s a good chance Ray doesn’t know the road Cunningham, a former standout at Columbus High School, has taken to being a critical member of the Bulldogs’ eight-man rotation. The story begins with a bass drum. Cunningham, who plans to work in the music business after graduation, was given the opportunity to be in the drum line of the MSU Maroon marching band as a freshman because, as he put it, “they gave me the biggest drum probably because I was the only one that could carry it who tried out.”
Cunningham’s can-do attitude has allowed Ray to give his junior guard more responsibility than anybody would expect a coach to give to a walk-on.
“Tyson is our best communicator, and when you are instituting a new system on offense and defense, that’s just so critical,” Ray said. “Tyson Cunningham proves you don’t have to be a scholarship player with all the hype to be a leader.”
Cunningham has understood he would be expected to contribute since he earned his first start in November at the Maui Invitational. He also realized a team with three freshman, a sophomore, and a junior college transfer in its starting five would need guidance.
“We don’t have a guy with experience — playing experience — as far as last year,” Cunningham said. “I’ve taken on the role. I can be a leader. I can help my teammates in any way I can on and off the court.”
Cunningham, who is one of two walk-ons in the program, is getting more playing time than anybody expected this season due to MSU’s roster limitations. Injuries and suspensions have allowed Cunningham to average 21.1 minutes per game and start four games. He is averaging 2.5 points per game, but he leads the Bulldogs in 3-point percentage (42.1 percent, 16 of 38). He will lead MSU (7-19, 2-12 Southeastern Conference) against the University of Kentucky (19-8, 10-4) at 7 p.m. Wednesday (SEC Network) In Lexington, Ky.
“You’re just ready for anything,” Cunningham said. “I’m just grateful to have this opportunity. I prepare myself in practice hard (and) expecting to play.”
Cunningham’s ability to be prepared has enabled the 6-foot-4 guard to achieve the dream he told everybody at Columbus High School four years ago he would realize.
“In high school, I used to tell guys ‘I’m going to play basketball in college,’ ” Cunningham said of his days with the Falcons.
Unfortunately, not many people shared that belief. Cunningham averaged 11.2 points and 6.0 rebounds per game and started every game as a senior at Columbus, but no Division I schools recruited him.
“I just had the faith to believe I was going to play,” Cunningham said.
That faith led Cunningham to the practice squad for the MSU women’s team under then-coach Sharon Fanning-Otis. Every day at practice, Cunningham worked to make others better while he played pickup games at the Sanderson Recreational Center with standouts on the MSU men’s basketball team like point guard Dee Bost.
“They started putting in a word for me,” Cunningham said of Bost and others. “My name started to go around in the basketball office. The door just opened.”
Ray said he isn’t surprised how quickly the word spread about Cunningham. He said Cunningham has a tireless work ethic that drives him to get better.
“Every time I walk into our practice facility and I hear a ball bouncing in there, it’s Tyson Cunningham shooting,” Ray said. “A lot of our guys could learn something from the dedication Tyson has for his craft and trying to help this team anyway he can.”
Former MSU coach Rick Stansbury gave Cunningham the opportunity last season to try out for a walk-on position on the team. The Bulldogs all-time leader in wins was impressed with Cunningham’s athleticism and knowledge of the game.
“Tyson’s a great guy,” MSU freshman guard Fred Thomas said. “He is always motivating us, patting us on the back, and saying, ‘Let’s go, let’s go.’ He sacrifices his body for us by taking charges. He’ll do anything for the team.”
Off the court, Cunningham is so much than a teammate. He’s the only married member of the team, to his high school sweetheart, and the only member of the team who has sung the National Anthem before several MSU sporting events. Before the tip of last year’s National Invitational Tournament first-round loss to the University of Massachusetts, Cunningham received a standing ovation for singing the anthem at center court. During road trips, if the hotel the Bulldogs are staying in has a piano, Cunningham can be seen in the lobby using his musical talents to entertain a crowd. On Sundays, he takes pride in leading the music at New Baptist Temple Church in Columbus where his grandfather is the pastor.
“I know it will be in the music field,” Cunningham said of his plans after graduation. “I’m already a worship leader at my church. I know more than likely I’m going to be recording music and things of that nature.”
Before leaving campus, Cunningham will need to stop by Ray’s office to get a letter of recommendation.
“He’s a guy that is going to be successful in life because he goes about his businesses the right way,” Ray said.
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