January 9, 2009
Cunningham to PAC-10
It was all set. Jared Cunningham’s college future was a done deal. But one door closed followed by another opening up the street, and the San Leandro star will still get to visit Tempe, albeit just once a year. Most recently, Cunningham ended the recruiting process for the second time by committing to a PAC-10 school.
Cunningham remains in the PAC-10
Craig Robinson may be best known as President-elect Barack Obama’s brother-in-law. That’s for the time being. But the new Oregon State coach is collecting talent in Corvallis unlike any other Beaver coach in decades and this factor will have OSU soon resuming it’s role as a player in the PAC-10. Most recently, Robinson reached out to the East Bay and snagged Jared Cunningham of San Leandro High as the latest committment.
Cunningham, Rivals’ 13th-ranked point in the country and #70 in the nation overall, was in Corvallis January 3 when Oregon State took down USC 62-58. Soon after, he made the decision to be part of the Oregon State re-make.
"I was comfortable with the school and the players and bonded well with the coaches," Cunningham said. "Oregon State was the first school to jump on me after de-committing from Arizona State."
As for facing his one-time suitor, Cunningham said, "I’m looking forward to playing against the Sun Devils," adding "I still like the coaching staff there." He reiterated there are no hard feelings.
Cunningham, also with a Bay Area Hoosier background, said the decision allows him to now focus solely on his senior season.
San Leandro currently sports a 10-3 record, with notable wins over Berkeley (21 points and seven boards for Cunningham), Skyline (14 points), Modesto Christian, Sacred Heart, Sheldon (29 points) and Newark Memorial while playing Bay Area power McClymonds High tough in the season opener before falling 63-54.
There’s been elements of a pipeline, though somewhat sporadic, running from the East Bay to OSU. William Brew and Lester Conner played in Corvallis for Ralph Miller in the early 1980s and did Gary Payton in the late 1980s. Cunningham starts it anew.
"I want to thank my family, my coaches at San Leandro High and my trainer Anthony Eggleton," Cunningham offered. He will sign a national letter of intent on April 15 and plans on taking a session of summer school in Corvallis prior to the new school year.