:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60345637/995750304.jpg.0.jpg)
The takeover of the NBA by former Cincinnati Bearcats is continuing. We already know about Lance Stephenson and the hard road that Sean Kilpatrick took to the professional level. Then Jacob Evans was drafted in the first round by the Golden State Warriors this year and Gary Clark signed a two-way deal with the Houston Rockets. Meanwhile, Kyle Washington is serving up his unique brand of post offense with the Detroit Pistons in the NBA Summer League.
Kyle Washington is on the board in the #NBASummerLeague. His first bucket playing for the Pistons. #Bearcats pic.twitter.com/2EpNXyml0K
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) July 9, 2018
The most recent news coming from the Bearcats in the NBA universe comes via Troy Caupain, the senior leader of the 2016-17 team that has been grinding it out in the G League the last year and finally earned himself a two-way deal with the Orlando Magic.
Believing in myself and never giving up has gotten me so far in life and to the people in my corner who have been with me from the start , I appreciate you all ! Thank you to the… https://t.co/WR36yPjIyS
— troy caupain jr (@caupain10) July 11, 2018
During this past season with the Lakeland Magic, Caupain was pretty excellent, stuffing the stat sheet to the tune of 15.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 5.8 assists per game. He accounted for 5.5 win shares and an offensive rating of 115 while shooting 43.6 percent from the floor and 34.7 percent from beyond the arc. That offensive improvement is a big reason the Magic are giving him more of a shot this year.
While this is obviously good news, there are some pitfalls to the two-way contract model. The hope is that Caupain will continue working hard (we know he will) and take the next step on the back of this new opportunity.
The NBA is being filled with the Bearcats and I, for one, am all for it.