Sleeper Report: Kyle Cain (UNCG)

Kyl Cain UNCG basketball

By James Blackburn

Game Scouted: Western Carolina @ UNCG
Western wins 82-77 (OT)

Box Score

Kyle Cain (F, 6’7”, JR)

Stats
38 min, 6-14 FG, 7-10 FT, 12 reb, 3 assist, 2 TO, 1 blk, 19 TP

Strengths
Cain is extremely active and has a high motor. His biggest strength as a player is his rebounding ability on both ends. He boxes out on the defensive glass and is constantly attacking the offensive boards. Led his team in rebounds tonight and leads team in rebounds per game (9) on the season.

Cain does a decent job of defending the ball in the post. He also showed today that he could hedge screens and recover. Gets in the right defensive position and seems to be aware on that end of the floor.

Offensively, Cain gets most of his points off of tip-ins and being a junk yard dog in the paint. Not afraid to play physical. He does have an excellent lefty baby hook shot that he usually scores off of several times a game out of post up plays. Does a good job of handling double teams. Is a lefty who can step out and hit the open perimeter shot usually from the top of the key being the trail man or from the short corner, 15’ and in. Can put the ball on the floor in straight line drives to his left and score.

Athletic player who can finish above the rim. Plays hard and sacrifices his body.

Weaknesses
Offensively, Cain is still a little raw. He needs to continue to improve his shooting mechanics and improve his range. Has a hitch in his shot and rotation has a side spin on it. He doesn’t run the floor very well and doesn’t have a long stride. Can put the ball on the floor once or twice but needs to improve ball handling and ability to change directions- dribble tends to get loose. Doesn’t look comfortable going to his right or finishing with his right. Struggles to create own shot or go by anyone on perimeter. Footwork needs improvement on perimeter.
Does fine defending in the post but struggled to defend 2/3’s this game- slow foot speed.

Overview
Transferred from Arizona State and has become the leader on this young Spartans team. Leading the team in points and rebounds on the year as he did tonight. Plays with emotion and energy. Did well from the FT tonight and he hit his last 6 shots in the end of regulation and in the OT period. Is poised for a big senior year. Would like to see him improve his ball handling, his jump shot, and develop the ability to use either hand, especially in the post.

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