Let’s get one thing straight: Cade Cunningham isn’t married. At least, not yet. The Detroit Pistons’ star point guard has kept his personal life under wraps, but that hasn’t stopped fans from digging into his relationships. The most talked-about name? Nikia Withers, his longtime girlfriend. While the two haven’t walked down the aisle (or even confirmed their relationship publicly), their connection has been the subject of speculation since 2021.
So, who is Nikia Withers, and what’s the deal with their romance? Buckle up, because we’re diving deep into Cunningham’s off-court world, from his potential future wife’s athletic background to his role as a doting dad.
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Cade Cunningham’s Girlfriend Nikia Withers: More Than Just an NBA WAG
First things first, Nikia Withers isn’t just another Instagram model riding the coattails of a famous athlete. She’s got her own impressive resume. Born in California, Withers was a standout volleyball player, competing for powerhouse programs like USC and even going pro with Athletes Unlimited in 2022. She’s also got brains to match her athleticism, having studied law at USC before pivoting to coaching and later working in HR. Oh, and did we mention her brother is NFL veteran Marcedes Lewis? Yeah, sports run in her blood.
🗓 #100Days100Facts 💯
High-flyer @nikia Withers joined the Women of Troy as a transfer in 2015 and collected 600 kills over the course of two seasons including 321 in 2017 to help #USCWVB advance to the #NCAAVB regional final.
79•100#FightOn ✌️🏐🏆 pic.twitter.com/BqjvskdQhg
— USC Women’s Volleyball (@uscwomensvolley) August 4, 2021
Now, about her and Cade. The two were first linked in 2021, but neither has ever publicly confirmed their relationship. Still, the internet has pieced together clues, like Withers attending Pistons games and occasionally dropping subtle hints on social media. What makes their dynamic interesting is how low-key they’ve kept it. No over-the-top PDA, no viral couple posts, just two people who seem to value privacy in an era where every celebrity relationship is dissected online.
But here’s the twist: Withers isn’t new to dating athletes. Before Cunningham, she was linked to NBA stars like Klay Thompson and D’Angelo Russell, as well as NFL player Cayleb Jones (a relationship that ended in controversy after domestic violence allegations surfaced). Some fans have raised eyebrows at the age gap—Withers is five years older than Cunningham—but honestly, that’s the least interesting part of this story. What’s more compelling is how Cunningham, despite being one of the NBA’s rising stars, has managed to keep his love life out of the drama-filled spotlight.
Fatherhood, Family, and the Future
While Cade Cunningham’s relationship with Nikia Withers is a hot topic, there’s another person who holds an even bigger place in his heart: his daughter, Riley. Born in 2018 from a previous relationship, Riley is Cunningham’s biggest motivation. He’s called her his “bundle of happiness” and has spoken openly about how fatherhood changed his perspective on life and basketball. Riley lives in Texas with her mom (whose identity remains private), but Cunningham makes sure to stay involved, even if it means juggling NBA stardom with dad duties.
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Family is everything to Cunningham. His parents, Carrie and Keith, were athletes themselves—his mom was a pro tennis player, and his dad was a college quarterback before an injury sidelined him. That sports-centric upbringing clearly rubbed off on Cade, who grew up playing basketball with his older brother, Cannen (now a coach). Even his sister, Kaylyn, who stayed out of the sports world, is part of the tight-knit Cunningham clan.
Cade Cunningham on the Jimmy Kimmel Live show. Hilarious 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/udeaSgNAoz
— Tom Hur (@KoreaPistonsFan) June 19, 2025
So, what’s next for Cade in 2025? On the court, he’s already an All-Star with a bright future. Off the court, he’s balancing fatherhood, a private romance, and the kind of quiet, drama-free life most NBA players can only dream of. Will he and Withers ever go public? Maybe. Will he get married someday? Possibly. But for now, Cunningham seems content keeping his personal life just that—personal. And honestly? That’s pretty refreshing in today’s oversharing world.
One thing’s for sure: Whether he’s dropping triple-doubles or spending time with his daughter, Cade Cunningham is winning, both on and off the court. And if that means keeping his love life under wraps, more power to him.
