Carl Cecil Cain (August 2, 1934 – June 2, 2024) was an American basketball player.

Born in Freeport, Illinois, Cain played college basketball for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

He is an inductee to the Des Moines Register State of Iowa Sports Hall of Fame.

[4] Cain said in 2005 that the Fabulous Five were not "exceptionally talented", but that they "came together at Iowa at a time when our skills meshed with the coaching we received.

"[5] The Des Moines Register said, "But those who saw him display the shooting, rebounding and defensive tenacity that were his trademarks for the Fabulous Five will never question the fact that Cain deserves any recognition that comes his way.

[2] After graduation, Cain joined the Army and was unable to continue playing basketball after his service due to back problems.

[5] His back pain started during his training at Fort Leonard Wood and his practices for the 1956 Olympic basketball team.

"[5] Cain had a herniated disc which caused him to retire from basketball despite having an opportunity to play for the Rochester Royals in 1958 after his discharge from the Army.

[2] Cain also worked for Chicago for Equitable Life Assurance Society, the Iowa-Des Moines National Bank, and Iowa Power and Light Co. Philanthropically he worked to raise money to build a new Hawkeye Sports Arena for his former school.