The lone senior for the Boilermakers, Carson is an extremely intelligent individual who could have his best year yet as a Boilermaker ... has the ability to make the difficult shots and make things happen ... an exceptional penetrator and ball handler ... outstanding free throw shooter ... extremely effective as a scorer and passer ... makes full use of the glass with his acrobatic shots ... a basketball junkie and tremendous worker.
As a Junior (1999-00)
Started 33 of Purdue’s 34 games ... led the team with a career-high 140 assists and a 4.1 assists per game average ... finished fourth on the team in scoring, averaging 11.0 points per game, and was second with 45 treys ... his 81 percent (92-for-114) free throw shooting was also a team-high ... scored in double figures 20 times ... led the Boilermakers in assists on 19 occasions and in scoring on four occasions ... Purdue was 11-1 when he had five or more assists in a game and 4-6 when he had more turnovers than assists ... one of three players to start all 16 conference games (Cornell and Cardinal) ... named to the 2000 Maui Invitational All-Tournament team (37 points, 24 assists, eight rebounds, seven steals and just four turnovers) ... also named to the 2000 West Regional All-Tournament team ... scored 15 points, dished out seven assists and grabbed four rebounds in season-opening win over Chaminade in the Maui Invitational on Nov. 22 ... finished with 11 points, a career-high 10 assists and recorded three steals against No. 6 Florida in Maui on Nov. 23 ... scored 16 points (5-for-5 from the field, 4-for-4 from three-point range and 2-for-2 from the free throw line) with four assists in 19 minutes of action vs. Central Michigan on Dec. 22 ... scored a season-high 19 points in a career-high 42 minutes versus Michigan on Jan. 8 ... had five points, six assists and a season-high six rebounds against Wisconsin on Jan. 15 ... matched his season high with a game-high 19 points on 6-for-12 shooting from the field (3-for-5 from three-point range) and four assists at Ohio State on Jan. 29 ... poured in 17 points on 5-for-6 shooting from the field, including a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc, and dished out a game-high seven assists in Purdue’s 84-58 victory at Iowa on Feb. 5 ... scored eight points and dished out four assists in 35 minutes in Purdue’s upset of sixth-ranked Michigan State 70-67 on Feb. 8 ... had nine points, tied a career- and season-high with 10 assists and had two steals versus Minnesota on Feb. 19 ... suffered a second degree sprain of his right ankle at Indiana on Feb. 29 ... finished with just five points, two rebounds and an assist against Wisconsin in the Big Ten Tournament on March 10 ... scored 13 points, shot 3-for-6 from three-point range, dished out three assists and had two steals in the Boilermakers’ 62-61 victory over Dayton in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 16 ... had a game-high seven assists with eight points and two steals in Purdue’s 66-62 upset victory over No. 3 seed Oklahoma in the NCAA second round on March 18 ... had 14 points, three assists and three rebounds against Gonzaga in the regional semifinal March 23 ... scored 14 points in a loss to Wisconsin in the West regional final March 25.
As a Sophomore (1998-99)
Saw action in 30 games, starting 10 ... 80 percent (51-of-64) free throw shooting led the team ... averaged 9.1 points per game in conference play (6.6 ppg overall) ... exploded for 18 points on 5-for-8 shooting (.625) in just 12 minutes of action in Purdue’s 78-70 victory over Valparaiso on Dec. 11 ... made his first start since February 1997 against Michigan on Jan. 23, scoring a season-high 24 points on 6-for-12 shooting, including an 11-for-13 (.846) performance from the free throw line, earning CBS Player-of-the-Game honors ... hit 8-of-10 (.800) shots from the field en route to 23 points against Iowa on Feb. 4 ... finished with 15 points and a season-high five rebounds in a losing effort against Ohio State on Feb. 6 ... had 17 points on 8-for-11 shooting (.727), four rebounds and three assists in an 86-81 overtime victory at Indiana on Feb. 9 ... scored 10 points, including a clutch shot to clinch the victory, and dished out four assists without a turnover at Illinois on Feb. 13 ... had 13 points and four rebounds at Michigan State on Feb. 16 ... dished out a season-high five assists to go with nine points and four rebounds against Penn State on Feb. 20 ... scored two points and had one assist vs. Michigan on March 4 in the Big Ten Tournament ... finished with two points and one steal in Purdue’s 58-54 victory over No. 7 seed Texas in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 12 ... scored six points on 2-for-2 shooting from 3-point range in the season-ending loss to Temple in the Sweet 16 on March 19.
As a Redshirt (1997-98)
Sat out the season after transferring from Oregon State.
As a Freshman (1996-97)
– Oregon State
One of only 15 players nationally named to the College Hoops Insider All-Freshman Team ... 1997 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team and runner-up for Freshman of the Year ... first true freshman to start at point guard since Gary Payton ... co-led the team in scoring at 14.9 points (OSU’s all-time leading freshman scorer with 403 points) ... team leader in steals (35) ... fourth in the Pac-10 in free throw percentage (.817) and in assists (4.7) ... made 10 or more trips to the foul line five times ... nearly recorded a triple-double vs. Portland State, scoring 17 points, dishing out nine assists (career-high) and grabbing eight boards ... scored a career-high 28 points vs. Texas and 26 vs. Nebraska ... scored in double-digits in 22 games ... played a team-best 832 minutes (second among all Pac-10 freshmen) ... made 22-of-41 (.537) treys over final 16 games.
High School
Lettered four years at Andrean, the same school former Boilers Brandon Brantley (1992-96) and James Bullock (1982-85) attended ... averaged 22.9 points, 6.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds as a senior in 1995-96 ... Post Tribune Player of the Year as a junior and senior ... led team to 19-2 record his final season ... Player-of-the-Year by both WJOB Radio and WYIN-TV ... first team all-state and USA Today honorable mention All-American as a senior ... averaged 21 points and four rebounds as a junior and 17.6 points and 5.5 assists as a sophomore ... three-time first team all-area selection ... ranked as a top 100 player nationally by several top recruiting analysts.
Personal
Graduated this past May with a degree in history ... currently pursuing his master's degree ... given name is Carson James Cunningham ... born June 7, 1977 ... parents are William and Susan Cunningham ... has one brother, Kirk, and two sisters, Caroline and Suzanne ... Kirk is a student at Notre Dame and Caroline attends Ball State ... hobbies include reading, philosophy and independent films ... is a member of Purdue's Chess Club and Historical Society.
Inside Carson Cunningham
What is the most memorable moment of your basketball career?
"Beating Dayton, Oklahoma and Gonzaga going to the 'Great Eight.'"
Person I would most like to meet?
"Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas."
When I'm not playing basketball, I like to:
"Reading, playing other sports, being with family and friends."
The best player I ever played against:
"Michael Jordan while working at his camp in Illinois ... I'll keep our performances in reserve for one's imagination."
What is you favorite TV show?:
"Sanford and Son."
Pre game ritual:
"Eat, mentally and physically prepare."
The thing about Coach Keady that impresses me:
"His discipline and consistency in character."
If you could have dinner with any person from any point in history, who would it be?
"Albert Einstein."
What is your lifetime goal?
"Live fully, listen to my heart and have genuine relationships with family and friends."
Career Highs
POINTS:
28 vs. Texas, 12/18/96
REBOUNDS:
8 vs. Portland State, 11/14/96
ASSISTS:
10 two times, last vs. Minnesota, 2/19/00
FIELD GOALS MADE:
9 at Nebraska, 11/30/96
FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED:
18 at California, 2/15/97
3pt FIELD GOALS MADE:
4 two times, last vs. C. Michigan, 12/22/00
3pt FIELD GOALS ATTEMPTED:
9 vs. Michigan, 1/8/00
FREE THROWS MADE:
14 vs. Stanford, 1/18/97
FREE THROWS ATTEMPTED:
17 two times, last vs. Stanford, 1/18/97
BLOCKED SHOTS:
1 five times, last vs. Valparaiso, 12/11/98
STEALS:
4 two times, last vs. California, 1/16/97
MINUTES PLAYED:
42 vs. Michigan, 1/8/00
–CUNNINGHAM'S CAREER NUMBERS –
| YEAR | GP-GS | MIN (AVG) | FG-FGA (%) | 3P-3PA (%) | FT-FTA (%) | REB (AVG) | PF-D | AST | TO | BLK | ST | PTS
(AVG) |
| 1996-97* | 27-26 | 832 (30.8) | 125-299 (.418) | 28-74 (.378) | 125-153 (.817) | 76 (2.8) | 55-1 | 126 | 114 | 3 | 35 | 403 (14.9) |
| 1998-99 | 30-10 | 443 (14.8) | 67-162 (.414) | 13-32 (.406) | 51-64 (.797) | 38 (1.3) | 31-0 | 37 | 61 | 2 | 13 | 198 (6.6) |
| 1999-00 | 34-33 | 998 (29.4) | 118-280 (.421) | 45-113 (.398) | 92-114 (.807) | 66 (1.9) | 53-2 | 140 | 80 | 1 | 30 | 373 (11.0) |
| TOTALS$ | 64-43 | 1,441 (22.5) | 185-442 (.419) | 58-145 (.400) | 143-178 (.803) | 104 (1.6) | 84-2 | 177 | 141 | 3 | 43 | 571 (8.9) |
|
POSTSEASON |
| NCAA | 6-4 | 142 (23.7) | 15-41 (.366) | 10-25 (.400) | 13-17 (.765) | 10 (1.7) | 7-0 | 16 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 53
(8.8) |
* - at Oregon State $ - Purdue totals only
– CUNNINGHAM GAME-BY-GAME –
*indicates starter
1999-00 (JUNIOR)
| Opponent | Min. | Fg-Fga | 3m-3a | Ft-Fta | O-D-Reb. | PF | A | TO | B | S | Pts. |
| vs Chaminade | 35 | 7-10 | 0-2 | 1-2 | 2-2-4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| vs Florida | 33 | 3-6 | 0-2 | 5-8 | 0-1-1 | 1 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 |
| vs North Carolina | 39 | 5-15 | 0-3 | 1-1 | 1-2-3 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 11 |
| NC STATE | 33 | 4-10 | 1-4 | 6-6 | 1-1-2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| AKRON | 35 | 6-12 | 1-4 | 4-6 | 0-4-4 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| at Illinois State | 30 | 4-7 | 1-2 | 4-4 | 0-2-2 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| WESTERN ILLINOIS | 19 | 1-4 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| COPPIN STATE | 26 | 4-6 | 1-2 | 4-4 | 1-0-1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 14 |
| vs Ball State | 36 | 6-14 | 1-6 | 0-0 | 0-2-2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 13 |
| 16CENTRAL MICHIGAN | 19 | 5-5 | 4-4 | 2-2 | 0-3-3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 16 |
| at Santa Clara | 28 | 2-7 | 2-2 | 0-2 | 0-1-1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| at UCLA | 28 | 2-10 | 0-3 | 0-0 | 1-1-2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| MURRAY STATE | 28 | 3-7 | 1-3 | 2-2 | 1-1-2 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| MICHIGAN | 42 | 5-15 | 3-9 | 6-7 | 0-2-2 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 19 |
| at Illinois | 28 | 5-11 | 0-3 | 3-3 | 0-3-3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| WISCONSIN | 28 | 1-10 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 2-4-6 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 |
| at Minnesota | 25 | 1-8 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| INDIANA | 32 | 3-8 | 1-2 | 2-2 | 0-0-0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| at Wisconsin | 31 | 3-11 | 3-6 | 2-2 | 1-2-3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 11 |
| at Ohio State | 28 | 6-12 | 3-5 | 4-4 | 0-1-1 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| NORTHWESTERN | 30 | 1-4 | 0-2 | 5-5 | 0-1-1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| at Iowa | 32 | 5-6 | 3-3 | 4-4 | 0-3-3 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| MICHIGAN STATE | 35 | 2-8 | 2-5 | 2-4 | 0-2-2 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| at Northwestern | 25 | 5-6 | 2-2 | 4-4 | 0-1-1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| IOWA | 28 | 2-5 | 0-2 | 4-5 | 0-0-0 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| MINNESOTA | 22 | 4-4 | 1-1 | 0-2 | 0-0-0 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
| at Michigan | 25 | 2-5 | 1-4 | 7-10 | 1-1-2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| PENN STATE | 24 | 4-7 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 1-0-1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 12 |
| at Indiana | 25 | 4-10 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 1-0-1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| vs Wisconsin | 20 | 1-5 | 1-1 | 2-2 | 1-1-2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| vs Dayton | 33 | 3-9 | 3-6 | 1-2 | 0-2-2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| vs Oklahoma | 35 | 2-5 | 0-2 | 4-5 | 0-2-2 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 |
| vs Gonzaga | 30 | 3-6 | 2-5 | 6-8 | 1-2-3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| vs Wisconsin | 31 | 4-12 | 3-8 | 2-2 | 0-2-2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 13 |
| Totals | 998 | 118-280 | 45-113 | 92-114 | 15-51-66 | 53 | 140 | 80 | 1 | 30 | 373 |
1998-99 (SOPHOMORE)
| | UNC-ASHEVILLE | 8 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 0-1-1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| | ILLINOIS-CHICAGO | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| | GONZAGA | 3 | 1-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| | LAFAYETTE | 5 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | North Carolina | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| | St. John's | 11 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-1-1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | EASTERN ILLINOIS | 6 | 0-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | Xavier | 1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| | ILLINOIS STATE | 13 | 1-4 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-1-1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| | VALPARAISO | 12 | 5-8 | 1-2 | 7-7 | 0-1-1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 18 |
| | LA SALLE | 14 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 3-4 | 1-0-1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| | Butler | 14 | 2-2 | 1-1 | 3-5 | 0-0-0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 |
| | South Carolina | 12 | 3-7 | 0-1 | 3-4 | 1-1-2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| | Providence | 4 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Penn State | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| | Wisconsin | 10 | 1-4 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| | ILLINOIS | 4 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 2-2 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| | INDIANA | 6 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| | Ohio State | 12 | 2-5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 2-3-5 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| * | MICHIGAN | 31 | 6-12 | 1-2 | 11-13 | 0-1-1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 24 |
| * | Northwestern | 24 | 3-7 | 0-0 | 2-3 | 0-1-1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| * | IOWA | 27 | 8-10 | 1-1 | 6-6 | 0-2-2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 23 |
| * | OHIO STATE | 31 | 4-15 | 1-6 | 6-8 | 3-0-3 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| * | Indiana | 38 | 8-11 | 1-2 | 0-0 | 0-4-4 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
| * | Illinois | 33 | 3-9 | 2-4 | 2-2 | 0-0-0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| * | Michigan State | 24 | 5-9 | 1-1 | 2-2 | 1-3-4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| * | PENN STATE | 26 | 4-11 | 1-2 | 0-1 | 4-0-4 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| * | MINNESOTA | 23 | 3-8 | 1-2 | 0-2 | 0-2-2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| * | Minnesota | 19 | 0-7 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-1-1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| | MICHIGAN STATE | 10 | 0-3 | 0-1 | 0-0 | 0-2-2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| | Michigan | 9 | 1-3 | 0-0 | 0-1 | 0-1-1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| | Texas | 7 | 1-6 | 0-2 | 0-0 | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| | Miami (FL) | DNP | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| | Temple | 6 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 0-0 | 0-1-1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| | Totals | 832 | 118-280 | 45-113 | 92-114 | 15-51-66 | 55 | 126 | 15 | 0 | 5 | 53 |
1996-97 (FRESHMAN – Oregon State)
| | Opponent | Min. | Fg-Fga | 3m-3a | Ft-Fta | O-D-Reb. | PF | A | TO | B | S | Pts. |
| * | Portland | 33 | 3-13 | 1-3 | 11-13 | 1-1-2 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 18 |
| * | Nebraska | 32 | 9-14 | 1-2 | 7-9 | 0-1-1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 26 |
| * | Long Beach State | 30 | 4-11 | 1-4 | 2-2 | 0-1-1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 11 |
| * | Azusa Pacific | 34 | 5-12 | 0-0 | 5-7 | 1-2-3 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 15 |
| * | Portland State | 37 | 7-13 | 1-3 | 2-2 | 1-7-8 | 2 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
| * | Texas | 34 | 7-13 | 1-5 | 13-17 | 0-4-4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 28 |
| | Northeastern Illinois | 25 | 3-13 | 0-6 | 3-4 | 0-3-3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| * | Bradley | 36 | 5-11 | 1-2 | 4-4 | 1-5-6 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| * | Oregon | 39 | 4-17 | 0-4 | 7-10 | 0-3-3 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| * | Oregon | 36 | 4-10 | 0-3 | 4-4 | 0-1-1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| * | Washington | 33 | 6-14 | 0-0 | 8-9 | 0-2-2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 20 |
| * | Washington State | 30 | 4-10 | 4-5 | 0-0 | 0-3-3 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| * | California | 35 | 4-11 | 2-4 | 5-5 | 0-3-3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 15 |
| * | Stanford | 27 | 2-6 | 0-1 | 14-17 | 1-3-4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| * | Arizona | 26 | 6-9 | 2-3 | 5-6 | 1-4-5 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 19 |
| * | Arizona State | 37 | 5-14 | 2-3 | 3-3 | 1-2-3 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| * | USC | 32 | 5-9 | 1-2 | 1-3 | 0-1-1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 |
| * | UCLA | 38 | 8-17 | 1-5 | 3-4 | 1-1-2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 20 |
| * | Washington State | 33 | 3-8 | 1-1 | 8-11 | 0-1-1 | 2 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| * | Washington | 32 | 6-14 | 0-0 | 4-4 | 0-3-3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 16 |
| * | Stanford | 23 | 2-5 | 0-0 | 5-7 | 1-0-1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| * | California | 26 | 8-18 | 2-6 | 1-1 | 1-3-4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 19 |
| * | Arizona State | 21 | 0-5 | 0-0 | 0-0 | 1-0-1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| * | Arizona | 25 | 2-9 | 2-3 | 2-2 | 1-3-4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| * | UCLA | 23 | 4-7 | 2-2 | 5-6 | 0-0-0 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 15 |
| * | USC | 29 | 1-2 | 1-4 | 2-2 | 0-2-2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 7 |
| * | Oregon | 26 | 7-11 | 2-3 | 1-1 | 2-3-5 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 17 |
