DeMarcus Cousins

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Cousins attended LeFlore Magnet High School in Mobile, Alabama. He was a first-team Parade All-American in 2009 and played in the 2009 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, finishing with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Cousins also played in the 2009 Nike Hoop Summit at the Rose Garden in Portland and the Jordan Brand Classic at Madison Square Garden where he scored 10 points for the black team. He led LeFlore to the Alabama class 6A Final Four, falling short in the semifinal game to future college teammate Eric Bledsoe and Parker High School. Cousins first committed to Alabama-Birmingham on February 28, 2008, but never signed a letter of intent. Cousins decommitted from UAB and committed to Memphis on March 9, 2009. He reopened his recruitment after then Memphis coach John Calipari was hired at Kentucky. On April 7, 2009, Cousins decided to follow John Calipari to Kentucky. He signed his letter of intent on April 15. At Kentucky, Cousins averaged 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. Led by Cousins and John Wall, the Wildcats reached the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

In Their Own Story

The arena lights hummed against the deep blue of the Kings' jerseys as DeMarcus Cousins received an inbound pass. He didn't look at the clock or the scoreboard; his eyes locked on the rim. With a thunderous step that shook the hardwood, he absorbed contact from two defenders before launching a layup that rattled the backboard and fell in. The crowd erupted, a sea of purple and black rising in unison. In that moment, amidst the sweat and the roar, Boogie wasn't just playing basketball; he was embodying the desperate hope of a city waiting for its team to rise again.

Reader's Guide

On April 7, 2010, Cousins announced that he would forgo his final three seasons of collegiate eligibility and enter the 2010 NBA draft, where he was selected by the Sacramento Kings with the fifth overall pick. On July 7, 2010, Cousins signed his rookie contract with the Kings, worth about $7 million for the first two years with a team option for the third and fourth years. Cousins was named the Rookie of the Month for July during the NBA Summer League. Cousins was also named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team at the end of the 2010–11 season. On January 1, 2012, head coach Paul Westphal sent Cousins home from the Kings' home game against the New Orleans Hornets, saying that Cousins was "unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team; it cannot be ignored indefinitely." Cousins, who had been averaging 13.0 points and 11.3 rebounds per game at the time of the dismissal, reportedly demanded to be traded from the Kings. Cousins later denied asking to be traded. On January 5, 2012, Westphal was fired from the Kings, leading many to speculate that the head coach's tumultuous relationship with Cousins was a factor in his being replaced. On February 8, 2012, Cousins was selected to play in the Rising Stars Challenge. He played for Team Chuck, with a mix of rookies and sophomores. On November 11, 2012, the league suspended Cousins for two games without pay for confronting San Antonio Spurs color commentator Sean Elliott "in a hostile manner" after he criticized Cousins for attempting to bully Tim Duncan on the court. Cousins was apparently informed of Elliott's remarks after the game. He left the locker room and waited on the court for Elliott to finish his post-game show before confronting him. Some criticized the suspension as overly harsh and based more on Cousins' reputation than what actually happened, while others said he needed to grow up and learn a lesson about confronting the media. Cousins apologized to Elliott in person before a game against the Spurs in March 2014, which Elliott said he appreciated. On December 22, 2012, Cousins was suspended indefinitely from the Kings, who accused him of "unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team". The suspension was lifted on December 24, 2012. The season was up-and-down for Cousins, who posted career-highs in Player Efficiency Rating, field goal percentage, and free throw per

Did You Know?

• DeMarcus Cousins scored a career-high 56 points on January 25, 2016, breaking Chris Webber's franchise record of 51 points.
• He was named an NBA All-Star four times, from 2015 to 2018.
• Cousins won gold medals with the United States national team at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Early Life and College Foundation

DeMarcus Amir Cousins, born on August 13, 1990, began his basketball journey at LeFlore Magnet High School in Mobile, Alabama. His high school dominance was evident as he earned first-team Parade All-American honors in 2009, showcasing his talents in prestigious showcases like the McDonald's All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Although he led his team to the Alabama Class 6A Final Four, they fell short in the semifinals against future college teammate Eric Bledsoe. His collegiate path saw him initially commit to UAB and then Memphis before following coach John Calipari to Kentucky. During his single season with the Wildcats, Cousins averaged impressive stats of 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. Alongside John Wall, he helped propel the team to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. His standout performance earned him consensus second-team All-American honors before he declared for the draft after just one year.

Rookie Success and Early Turmoil

Selected fifth overall by the Sacramento Kings in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins immediately made an impact, earning a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team. However, his early tenure was marred by significant off-court controversies that tested his relationship with the organization. In January 2012, head coach Paul Westphal sent him home for allegedly failing to embrace team direction, sparking trade rumors and contributing to Westphal's subsequent firing. Later that year, Cousins faced a two-game suspension from the league for confronting a Spurs commentator in a hostile manner following criticism of his play. The season concluded with an indefinite suspension by the Kings for unprofessional conduct, though it was lifted days later. Despite these challenges, he posted career highs in efficiency and shooting percentages, even leading the league in technical fouls before eventually securing a four-year contract extension in 2013.

Peak Performance and All-Star Recognition

Cousins' professional trajectory shifted dramatically following his recovery from viral meningitis in late 2014. Upon returning to action, he maintained an elite level of play that culminated in his first NBA All-Star selection in January 2015, becoming the first Kings player to achieve this honor since 2004. His dominance was further highlighted by historic statistical feats; on April 1, 2015, he recorded a rare triple-double featuring 24 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, and six blocks, joining an elite group of players in NBA history to achieve such a combination. He followed this with another triple-double the next game, marking the first back-to-back triple-doubles by a Kings player since Chris Webber. This period solidified his status as a premier center, leading to four consecutive All-Star appearances from 2015 through 2018 and establishing him as one of the league's most productive big men during his time in Sacramento.

International Success and Later Career

Beyond his NBA endeavors, Cousins established himself as a decorated international competitor for the United States national team. He secured gold medals at two major global tournaments: first at the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup and subsequently at the 2016 Rio Olympics. These victories underscored his ability to perform on the world stage alongside top American talent. After his long tenure with Sacramento, where he navigated both high achievements and disciplinary issues, Cousins eventually moved on to play professionally in other leagues. Most notably, he joined the Selenge Bodons of the Mongolian Basketball League, continuing his career abroad. His journey from a highly touted recruit in Alabama to an Olympic champion reflects a complex but impactful basketball legacy defined by immense talent and resilience.