Tyler Cain
Encyclopedia
Tyler Cain is an American
former college basketball
player for the University of South Dakota
(USD). He is best known for being the inaugural winner of the Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
award in 2009–10
, the conference's first as a Division I basketball league. As a senior that season, Cain became the second player in USD history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He is also USD's all–time leading shot blocker after compiling 361 during his career.
to parents Richard and Laurie. He attended John Marshall High School
in his hometown where he was a star basketball player. Cain was twice named all-conference and once named honorable mention all-state. He was on the list for Minnesota Mr. Basketball
and for McDonald's All-American. His specialty was shot blocking, where he set several school records that surpassed Oklahoma Sooner
Longar Longar's previous JMHS records: blocks in a game (24), season (106) and career (188). As a senior in 2005–06, Cain averaged 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks per game.
in Division II. In 2008–09
, USD joined the Great West Conference but were still classified as an independent school for certain sports, including basketball. Then, as a senior in 2009–10, the Coyotes finally became full-fledged members of the GWC in Division I.
Over his four-year career, Cain was South Dakota's best player. He started in 115 of the 120 games he played in and he set the top four USD single-season blocks totals. When his career ended, Cain finished as the school's 11th leading scorer (1,390), second leading rebounder (1,088) and tops in blocked shots (361). He compiled 36 career double-doubles while scoring in double figures on 74 occasions. Cain capped his career by winning the first–ever GWC Player of the Year
award.
in Latvia
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
player for the University of South Dakota
University of South Dakota
The University of South Dakota ', the state’s oldest university, was founded in 1862 and classes began in 1882. Located in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, USD is home to South Dakota's only medical school and law school. USD is governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents, and its current...
(USD). He is best known for being the inaugural winner of the Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given to the Great West Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 2009–10 season, the conference's first as a member of NCAA Division I. The GWC was officially formed on...
award in 2009–10
2009–10 Great West Conference men's basketball season
The 2009–10 Great West Conference men's basketball season marks the inaugural season of Great West Conference basketball. The Great West is the first new Division I basketball conference since the Mountain West Conference began play in 1999.-Preseason:...
, the conference's first as a Division I basketball league. As a senior that season, Cain became the second player in USD history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. He is also USD's all–time leading shot blocker after compiling 361 during his career.
Early life
Cain was born in Rochester, MinnesotaRochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
to parents Richard and Laurie. He attended John Marshall High School
John Marshall High School (Minnesota)
John Marshall High School is located in Rochester, Minnesota and is part of Independent School District #535. The school is named for the longest serving Justice in Supreme Court history. It is located at 1510 14th St. NW Rochester, MN 55901. It is one of three public High Schools in Rochester...
in his hometown where he was a star basketball player. Cain was twice named all-conference and once named honorable mention all-state. He was on the list for Minnesota Mr. Basketball
Minnesota Mr. Basketball
Minnesota Mr. Basketball is an annual award recognizing excellence in Minnesota boys' high school basketball. The female equivalent is Minnesota Miss Basketball. The award was established in 1975 and is given to the person chosen as the best high school boys' basketball senior in the U.S. state of...
and for McDonald's All-American. His specialty was shot blocking, where he set several school records that surpassed Oklahoma Sooner
Oklahoma Sooners men's basketball
-1908-1980:The Sooners enjoyed moderate success on the court during this era, posting only 16 losing records in their first 72 seasons. They were coached by 9 different coaches during this period, beginning with Bennie Owen , and ending with Dave Bliss in 1980...
Longar Longar's previous JMHS records: blocks in a game (24), season (106) and career (188). As a senior in 2005–06, Cain averaged 19 points, 13 rebounds and 4 blocks per game.
College
In Cain's college career, the University of South Dakota was in a stage of transition for its athletics program. During his freshman (2006–07) and sophomore (2007–08) seasons, the Coyotes were a member of the North Central ConferenceNorth Central Conference
The North Central Conference , also known as North Central Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, was a college athletic conference which operated in the north central United States. It participated in the NCAA's Division II.-History:...
in Division II. In 2008–09
2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season
The 2008–09 NCAA Division I men's basketball season began on November 10, 2008 and ended with the 2009 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament's championship game on April 6, 2009 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. The season saw six different teams achieve the AP #1 ranking during the...
, USD joined the Great West Conference but were still classified as an independent school for certain sports, including basketball. Then, as a senior in 2009–10, the Coyotes finally became full-fledged members of the GWC in Division I.
Over his four-year career, Cain was South Dakota's best player. He started in 115 of the 120 games he played in and he set the top four USD single-season blocks totals. When his career ended, Cain finished as the school's 11th leading scorer (1,390), second leading rebounder (1,088) and tops in blocked shots (361). He compiled 36 career double-doubles while scoring in double figures on 74 occasions. Cain capped his career by winning the first–ever GWC Player of the Year
Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year
The Great West Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year is an annual basketball award given to the Great West Conference's most outstanding player. The award was first given following the 2009–10 season, the conference's first as a member of NCAA Division I. The GWC was officially formed on...
award.
Professional
In August 2010, Cain signed a contract to play for BK VEF Rīga of the Baltic Basketball LeagueBaltic Basketball League
Baltic Basketball League is a Baltic states basketball league founded in 2004.Currently, the league is divided into two: the Elite division and the Challenge Cup division. The 10 strongest Baltic basketball clubs participate in the Elite division. The rest of the teams compete in the Challenge Cup...
in Latvia
Latvia
Latvia , officially the Republic of Latvia , is a country in the Baltic region of Northern Europe. It is bordered to the north by Estonia , to the south by Lithuania , to the east by the Russian Federation , to the southeast by Belarus and shares maritime borders to the west with Sweden...
.