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Melakih Cunningham commits to Missouri State basketball team
News Update

Melakih Cunningham commits to Missouri State basketball team

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Cuonzo Martin is causing a stir in his home state when it comes to recruiting.

The former Purdue star, who is entering his second tenure as Missouri State’s basketball coach, secured the commitment of Melakih Cunningham, a lanky 6-foot-6 shooting guard, on Friday. Cunningham had narrowed his list to Missouri State, Ball State, Miami of Ohio and Toledo before settling on Martin and the Bears.

“I really like it because I have a good relationship with the entire staff,” Cunningham said. “It’s a great campus and a great environment. It really felt like the right place.”

Cunningham averaged 14.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.9 assists and shot 30.8% (24 of 78) from the 3-point line as a junior at Decatur Central. He transferred to Crispus Attucks in the spring.

Martin, who led Missouri State to its only Missouri Valley Conference regular season title during his first tenure as coach from 2008-11, was hired in March. Before his first tenure, he had coached for eight years on Gene Keady and Matt Painter’s teams at Purdue. After leaving Missouri State, he coached at Tennessee, Cal and Missouri, compiling a 264-198 record in 14 seasons with four NCAA Tournament appearances.

Cunningham made an official visit to the state of Missouri this week.

Call Star reporter Kyle Neddenriep at (317) 444-6649.

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