IOWA CITY – University of Iowa men’s basketball All-American Carl Cain passed away on Sunday. He was 89.
Cain played for the Hawkeyes from 1954-56, where led the program to back-to-back Final Fours in 1955 and 1956. The Freeport, Illinois, native earned first-team All-America honors during his senior season in 1956 when he was part of the “Fabulous Five” – a group that led the Hawkeyes to an NCAA runner-up finish.
Cain was named to the all-tournament team at NCAA Regionals and at the Final Four both seasons.
During his three seasons as a Hawkeye, Cain helped the program to 56 wins, including 35 Big Ten victories and two Big Ten regular season titles (1955, 1956). The team was the league runner-up in 1954.
Cain was a three-time All-Big Ten honoree, earning first-team honors in 1956, and he was twice named Iowa’s Most Valuable Player (1954, 1956). He finished his career with 1,054 points and 501 rebounds.
Following the 1956 season, Cain was a member of the United States National Team that won a gold medal in Melbourne, Australia. He was also selected in the 1956 NBA Draft by Rochester with the 49th overall pick.
Cain, whose No. 21 is retired in the Iowa men’s basketball program, is a member of the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame (1989) and the Des Moines Register State of Iowa Sports Hall of Fame.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
