DePaul University Athletics
Cain is Golden in Brazil
8/24/2018 11:39:00 AM | MEN'S BASKETBALL
DePaul standout helps USA win FISU America Games championship in Sao Paulo
CHICAGO – A feeling like never before came over Eli Cain as he stood on the Brazilian Paralympic Training Center basketball court in late July.
This was the DePaul basketball standout's golden moment.
Cain had been an integral part of the USA Team that competed in the FISU America Games in Sau Paulo, Brazil. He helped the Americans pull away in the second half of a 78-69 victory over Argentina July 29 that brought the Blue Demon guard his very first gold medal.
"The best moment of the trip was winning the gold medal," Cain said. "After everything we went through since training camp, everyone let out their excitement when we won gold.
"It's the first time I've played on a USA team, and having USA on my uniform was really special to me. I never thought that opportunity would be possible. It is something to cherish for the rest of my life."
USA started group play July 25 with a 98-78 win over Mexico before a 92-79 decision against Chile the next day. The competition then advanced to the medal rounds with the winning 79-65 win against Brazil on July 27.
"I thought I played pretty well," Cain said about the four games. "I played more off the ball, and it was a chance to play with different guys and against different kinds of people. Playing against other countries, each has a unique style.
"Argentina was tough and played really physical. It was NBA-sized guys and a lot of ball screens. Brazil had these two back-to-the-basket guys and tried to slow the game down. Against both teams, we did more running and used our athleticism and speed."
Organized by Athletes In Action, Cain was one of 10 collegiate players that underwent a five-day training camp July 14 in Dayton, Ohio before heading overseas on July 19.
Teaming up with Cain were Shannon Bogues and TJ Holyfield (Stephen F. Austin), Markus Golder (Valparaiso), Phlandrous Fleming (Charleston Southern), Drew McDonald (Northern Kentucky), Josh Nebo (Texas A&M), Tayler Persons (Ball State), Fred Scott (Rider) and Billy Wampler (Wright State).
Cain and Scott were teammates at DePaul during the 2015-16 season before Scott transferred to Rider.
"It was weird how fast we came together as one because that usually takes time to develop," Cain said. "But from the first day of training camp in Ohio, we were all on the same page.
"It was a pretty smooth transition. Each of us is the star player at our own university. Now we had to make an adjustment."
Cain shifted back to the two-guard spot after manning the point last season when playmaker Devin Gage went down with an injury.
"I learned how to connect with all different kinds of guys on the USA team, and it helps me now knowing how to talk to our freshmen and new players," Cain said. "The freshman I click with the most is George Maslennikov. I've taken him under my wing.
"This FISU America Games experience helped me improve as I went back to playing off the ball after being a point guard last year. I was slashing, catching the ball on the wing and making plays without a ball screen.
"Expanding my game fits in with where the sport is headed---position-less basketball. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors is a good example. I've always been a versatile player with the right size and build to play multiple positions."
And now you can add international competition to his resume.
"Brazil was a really good experience and different from what I'm used to," Cain said. "It was different cultures, players and coaches. All the teams from different countries stayed at the same hotel and you would see each other at breakfast and interact with them during games."
Cain is sporting similar positive vibes after offseason workouts with the Blue Demons. The deepest roster in years features the 6-foot, 6-inch pair of Cain and Max Strus on the wing and in the backcourt along with Illinois transfer and three-point threat Jalen Coleman-Lands, point guard Devin Gage, freshmen Flynn Cameron and 6-5 sharpshooter John Diener.
The depth inside begins with 6-9, 258-pound North Carolina A&T graduate transfer Femi Olujobi and includes 6-9 sophomores Paul Reed and Jaylen Butz plus the 6-10 Maslennikov. Reed could be headed for a break-out year.
Cameron led his native New Zealand to the silver medal two weeks ago at the FIBA U-18 Asian Championships in Thailand. The talented guard racked up a triple-double against China in the semifinals with 19 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
"It's inspiring to see Flynn's game develop and come around," Cain said. "He wasn't the best shooter when he came here. He worked on his shot every day and kept getting better.
"It wasn't surprising what Flynn did with the triple-double. He knows he can pass the ball, and I know he is capable of putting up a triple-double."
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This was the DePaul basketball standout's golden moment.
Cain had been an integral part of the USA Team that competed in the FISU America Games in Sau Paulo, Brazil. He helped the Americans pull away in the second half of a 78-69 victory over Argentina July 29 that brought the Blue Demon guard his very first gold medal.
"The best moment of the trip was winning the gold medal," Cain said. "After everything we went through since training camp, everyone let out their excitement when we won gold.
"It's the first time I've played on a USA team, and having USA on my uniform was really special to me. I never thought that opportunity would be possible. It is something to cherish for the rest of my life."
USA started group play July 25 with a 98-78 win over Mexico before a 92-79 decision against Chile the next day. The competition then advanced to the medal rounds with the winning 79-65 win against Brazil on July 27.
"I thought I played pretty well," Cain said about the four games. "I played more off the ball, and it was a chance to play with different guys and against different kinds of people. Playing against other countries, each has a unique style.
"Argentina was tough and played really physical. It was NBA-sized guys and a lot of ball screens. Brazil had these two back-to-the-basket guys and tried to slow the game down. Against both teams, we did more running and used our athleticism and speed."
Organized by Athletes In Action, Cain was one of 10 collegiate players that underwent a five-day training camp July 14 in Dayton, Ohio before heading overseas on July 19.
Teaming up with Cain were Shannon Bogues and TJ Holyfield (Stephen F. Austin), Markus Golder (Valparaiso), Phlandrous Fleming (Charleston Southern), Drew McDonald (Northern Kentucky), Josh Nebo (Texas A&M), Tayler Persons (Ball State), Fred Scott (Rider) and Billy Wampler (Wright State).
Cain and Scott were teammates at DePaul during the 2015-16 season before Scott transferred to Rider.
"It was weird how fast we came together as one because that usually takes time to develop," Cain said. "But from the first day of training camp in Ohio, we were all on the same page.
"It was a pretty smooth transition. Each of us is the star player at our own university. Now we had to make an adjustment."
Cain shifted back to the two-guard spot after manning the point last season when playmaker Devin Gage went down with an injury.
"I learned how to connect with all different kinds of guys on the USA team, and it helps me now knowing how to talk to our freshmen and new players," Cain said. "The freshman I click with the most is George Maslennikov. I've taken him under my wing.
"This FISU America Games experience helped me improve as I went back to playing off the ball after being a point guard last year. I was slashing, catching the ball on the wing and making plays without a ball screen.
"Expanding my game fits in with where the sport is headed---position-less basketball. Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors is a good example. I've always been a versatile player with the right size and build to play multiple positions."
And now you can add international competition to his resume.
"Brazil was a really good experience and different from what I'm used to," Cain said. "It was different cultures, players and coaches. All the teams from different countries stayed at the same hotel and you would see each other at breakfast and interact with them during games."
Cain is sporting similar positive vibes after offseason workouts with the Blue Demons. The deepest roster in years features the 6-foot, 6-inch pair of Cain and Max Strus on the wing and in the backcourt along with Illinois transfer and three-point threat Jalen Coleman-Lands, point guard Devin Gage, freshmen Flynn Cameron and 6-5 sharpshooter John Diener.
The depth inside begins with 6-9, 258-pound North Carolina A&T graduate transfer Femi Olujobi and includes 6-9 sophomores Paul Reed and Jaylen Butz plus the 6-10 Maslennikov. Reed could be headed for a break-out year.
Cameron led his native New Zealand to the silver medal two weeks ago at the FIBA U-18 Asian Championships in Thailand. The talented guard racked up a triple-double against China in the semifinals with 19 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.
"It's inspiring to see Flynn's game develop and come around," Cain said. "He wasn't the best shooter when he came here. He worked on his shot every day and kept getting better.
"It wasn't surprising what Flynn did with the triple-double. He knows he can pass the ball, and I know he is capable of putting up a triple-double."
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