How Did Troy Caupain Do in NBA Summer League?

Today is the final day of the Las Vegas NBA Summer League, with the Los Angeles Lakers and Portland Trail Blazers squaring off in the league’s title game. But I didn’t follow the summer league for playoffs and largely meaningless trophies. I followed it for one player and one player only. No, it wasn’t Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball, although it was tough to avoid constant news about the Lakers’ first round pick.

No, I was only focused on Troy Caupain as he worked to make an impression, and maybe the roster, of the Toronto Raptors. Here is a rundown of Caupain’s five games in the Summer League

Game One

In his first taste of professional basketball, Caupain did OK. He played for 15 minutes in the Raptors’ matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans and scored three points on 1-for-4 shooting, nailing a three-pointer. He also had two offensive rebounds and three assists, but he did turn the ball over twice. One positive was he played more than former Xavier forward Jalen Reynolds. Sorry, the Crosstown Shootout rivalry never sleeps.

Game Two

Caupain got more time on the floor in the Raptors’ second game of Summer League, logging 17 minutes off the bench. The increase in playing time was not rewarded with increased efficiency, however. The former Bearcat point guard scored five points on just 2-of-7 shooting, going 1-for-4 from beyond the arc. He did stuff five rebounds and two assists onto the stat sheet, while recording a +/- of seven.

Game Three

In a tilt against Denver, Caupain saw more limited action, earning 10 minutes of playing time, the second fewest on the team among players who actually got in the game. In those 10 minutes, Caupain netted another five points, although he once again failed to be a lights out shooter, making just 1-of-3 shots from the floor, all of which were taken from three-point range. He did make two free throws and grab two rebounds along the way.

Game Four

Once again, Caupain’s play time dwindled in game four of the Summer League schedule, as he played in only nine minutes. In that time he missed all three of his shots from the field and went 1-for-2 at the foul line. He did hand out three assists and turn the ball over but once.

Game Five

Caupain got his longest audition of the summer in the Raptors’ final game against Cleveland. Not only did he start, he played 26 minutes. The lack of efficiency in scoring that plagued him most of the week reared its ugly head once again unfortunately. Caupain went 3-of-8 from the field, although he did get to 10 points for the first time. He also had two assists, but matched that in turnovers.

In all, Caupain didn’t do enough to get a serious look at the next level. His shooting efficiency was lacking and he didn’t make up for it with great distribution and ball security. Sean Kilpatrick has shown that the road to the NBA is not always an easy one, and Caupain looks to be on his way to traversing a rockier bit of terrain if he hopes to get to the big time.