No. 2 jersey now hangs in the rafters
Former Arlington ISD student Cade Cunningham returned to Bowie High School last night, not as an NBA star, but as one of its own.
The Detroit Pistons guard was back on campus to retire his high school No. 2 jersey, a number he has worn since he was a kid – and the same number he still wears in the NBA. The moment marked a full-circle return for a student who once walked Bowie’s halls with a dream and the belief that hard work could take him far.
Cunningham attended Bowie from 2016 to 2018 after growing up in Arlington ISD, first at Larson Elementary and later at Barnett Junior High.
“He was just as amazing and smart off the court when he walked through these halls,” said Bowie principal Lee Jones. “Great kid, humble, positive, and it was very noticeable that he had a strong foundation.”
Those early years shaped not only his game, but his character – something educators say was evident from the start.
One of those educators was Doris Morehead Jones, a teacher at Bowie during Cunningham’s time on campus, who said his impact went far beyond the basketball court.
“Cade was always kind, always joyful, always funny, and always made people feel seen,” Morehead said. “From day one, Cade was a people person. That was a snapshot of the kind of man that he would become.”
The celebration filled the gym with sound and school spirit, with Bowie’s cheer, dance, and band programs – along with Cunningham’s teammates, who came to support him as his jersey was raised to the rafters.
Long before the accolades, Cunningham was open about his goals. He told Jones he was going to play basketball – a dream she admits she initially viewed like many others.
“I’ll be honest, I thought that every kid has a dream to play in the NBA,” she said. “But he asked me if I’d come and watch him play.”
That invitation turned into a front-row seat to something special. As a freshman, Cunningham earned a spot on the varsity team.
“That was my first glimpse of the athlete he was becoming,” she said.
As Cunningham’s talent continued to rise, so did the belief of those around him. When he shared his desire to attend a basketball-focused school, Morehead took action, reaching out to help make that path possible.
“Now I didn’t know anything about his stance or his position,” Morehead said. “But what I did know was that my kid had a dream. And I was going to make sure that I did everything in my power to help him reach that dream.”
Entering his junior year, Cunningham transferred to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida – a nationally recognized program ranked No. 1 in the country. He chose Montverde for its academics and elite coaching, a move that helped prepare him for the next level and ultimately the NBA.
Despite his rise to the professional stage, Morehead said Cunningham never lost sight of who he was.
“He’s a stellar athlete, a grounded human being, a superstar who never forgot who he was at this school,” she said.
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.
“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.”
For Cunningham, returning to Bowie brought reflection and gratitude.
“Being from Arlington is something I am very proud of,” Cunningham said. “I was here for two years, about seven years ago now. I was in this school, walking the halls, playing here. I just had a dream. I just wanted to be great. I wanted to help my family the best I could.”
That pride was met with overwhelming support from the community that helped shape him.
“This is so special,” he said. “I appreciate the amount of love and support that I’ve gotten since I’ve been in the NBA. Every time I come back home, I’m just overflowed with love and support, and that means a lot.”
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.