Orlando Sentinel

Troy Caupain

- By Josh Robbins Staff Writer

played for the Orlando Magic’s G-League affiliate in Lakeland recently, and a new contract with the team moves him closer to his dream.

LAS VEGAS — Baby steps. In 2017, Troy Caupain went undrafted out of the University of Cincinnati.

During the 2017-18 season, he played for the Orlando Magic’s GLeague affiliate in Lakeland.

On Wednesday night, he moved tantalizin­gly close to fulfilling his lifelong dream of reaching the NBA. Caupain, a 6-foot-4 point guard, signed a two-way contract with the Magic. Although he’ll spend most of the season playing for Lakeland, he can spend up to 45 days on Orlando’s active or inactive roster. Appearing in a regular-season game for Orlando at some point during the upcoming season now is a legitimate possibilit­y.

No wonder he was all smiles after the Magic’s summer-league team completed its practice Wednesday in a UNLV gym.

“The opportunit­y I know that I’ve been fighting for my whole life is to get a chance to play in the NBA,”

Caupain said. “Having this two-way contract gives me a opportunit­y to do that. So it’s kind of like a dream come true. I’m just thankful for the opportunit­y.”

Caupain, who is 22 years old, signed his new deal during a team dinner, surrounded by teammates.

“It was pretty special,” rookie center Mo Bamba said. “He’s a guy who’s worked his tail off to get in the league. He’s a hardrockin­g dude.”

Caupain has played well in Orlando’s three summerleag­ue matchups so far, averaging 12.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists and bringing a bit of toughness on defense. His long-range shooting has been a weakness, however. Although he’s made 51.5 percent of his shots overall, he’s gone just 1-for-14 from deep.

He’ll have more opportunit­ies here to impress and snap out of his 3-point shooting slump. Point guard Isaiah Briscoe, who is suffering from a shin contusion, will miss the Magic’s exhibition tonight against the Utah Jazz at Cox Pavilion. Caupain almost certainly will start at point guard in Briscoe’s place and receive major minutes.

And then there’s the season ahead to look forward to.

Last season, Jamel Artis, a two-way player, appeared in a total of 15 games for Orlando.

Time Caupain spends with Orlando before the start of Lakeland’s training camp or after Lakeland’s regular season will not count toward his 45-day NBA limit.

A two-way contract also can be converted into a standard NBA contract with the affiliate’s parent team as long as the parent team has an available roster spot. During a two-way contract, a two-way player is permitted to sign an NBA contract only with his current team.

“Right now, I told myself I’m chasing a dream,” Caupain said. “If I can get in the NBA before 25, chase the dream. If I don’t make it at 25, I’ve got to provide for myself and my family. [I’d be] getting older. It would [be] time to step up, and then I would go overseas to do it for the money. But right now, I’m just doing it for the dream. Playing in the G-League was the start of the dream to make it to the NBA. Whatever happened last year is over with now. This is a new summer. We’re going into a new season. I’m just thankful to have a two-way contract the organizati­on believe in me.”

jrobbins@orlandosen­tinel.com. Read his blog at OrlandoSen­tinel.com/magicblog and follow him on Twitter at @JoshuaBRob­bins.

 ?? RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA/ STAFF FILE PHOTO ?? Troy Caupain’s 2-way contract offers flexibilit­y.
RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA/ STAFF FILE PHOTO Troy Caupain’s 2-way contract offers flexibilit­y.

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