Nickname: "The Kangaroo Kid"
Ht. 6-6
Wt. 220
College - North Carolina
ABA Team: Carolina (1972-73 to 1973-74)

All-American at North Carolina; ABA League MVP in 1972-73; All All-Pro Team Member, 1972-73; Slowed by injuries his second year in the ABA; Member of the National Basketball Hall of Fame

From Jim O'Brien's 1972-73 Complete Handbook of Pro Basketball:
Legitimate 24-karat all-pro performer, one of the very best in all of pro basketball. Has to be a big box office draw for Cougars, and rest of ABA as well . . . Made All-NBA first team last year for third straight time . . . Was 13th in scoring in league with 23.3 points a game, tops for 76ers, seventh in playmaking with 5.9 assists average, and was second best rebounder behind Bill Bridges on his ballclub with 12.2 grabs a game . . . Loves to drive, and does so repeatedly, never allowing all those charging fouls to deter him, and passes off beautifully to open man. Never stops hustling. Or complaining to referees, it seems . . . Disqualified from 12 games last year, among highest dropout rates in league . . . Also among leaders in drawing technicals . . . One year he was nicked for 32 technicals at $50 apiece . . . "I'm an emotional person," commented Cunningham. "I have to release my emotions that way or it wouldn't be me. I can't remember when I've been any different." . . . Cunningham's intensity is what makes him such a superstar. "Anytime he wants a shot, he can get one," says John Havlicek. "He's so quick and can jump so well that it's impossible to stay with him. And he's a good team player, passes off well. You can realize it when you play against him, and in the all-star game when you're playing with him." . . . Always give it a second effort. "Take-charge" player . . . In summary, owner Tedd Munchak says, "He's an all-pro. It's that simple. The prospects are all very, very exciting." . . . Munchak's paying him over $200,000 to compensate Cunningham for taking him from Philadelphia 76ers. Not bad.