Article by: Drayten Nobles, Contributing Writer

Throughout the history of the NBA, many players have competed with an extreme amount of emotion and intensity, none more than DeMarcus Cousins. Labeled by many as one of the best centers of the 2010s, DeMarcus Cousins, also known as “Boogie,” was a force to be reckoned with on the court. During his NBA career, Cousins totaled four All-Star appearances and is a two-time Olympic and World Cup gold medalist. Despite ending his NBA career in 2022, he has continued to play in leagues around the world. With his basketball career nearing its end, DeMarcus remains not only an NBA legend but also a legend in his hometown, Mobile, Alabama. 

Early Upbringing: DeMarcus Cousins was born on Aug. 13, 1991, in Mobile. Growing up, Cousins’ family struggled to make ends meet. His mother, Monique Cousins, did everything she could to provide for her family. With four daughters and two sons, Monique had to work countless double shifts to support her family, leaving most of the children to take care of one another. Watching his mother’s work ethic from home inspired DeMarcus as a child and made him dream even bigger. 

In high school, Cousins attended Leflore High School and became one of the top players in the country. He was invited to and participated in the McDonald’s All-American Game, which recognizes the top high school players across the nation. While ESPN had Cousins ranked at No. 4 in the country in high school, other platforms had him as high as No. 2. 

College and Professional Career: To begin his professional career, Cousins was faced with the tough choice of deciding where he would play in college. After some recruiting from John Wall, the No. 1-ranked player in the country at the time, he would sign his letter of intent to the University of Kentucky. Cousins and Wall formed one of the best pick-and-roll duos in NCAA history, with DeMarcus finishing his freshman season with averages of 15.1 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. While Kentucky would fall short in the Elite Eight to West Virginia, Cousins’ outstanding play in college would drive the Sacramento Kings to take him with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. 

Cousins was dominant early in his NBA career and would have three straight All-Star appearances from the 2014-15 season to the 2016-2017 season, finishing both the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons on the All-NBA Second Team. With injuries hampering much of his career, fans only saw a small sample of how great DeMarcus Cousins was.

During the 2016-2017 season, everything would change, as DeMarcus Cousins would be traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, where he teamed up with superstar Anthony Davis. The dynamic frontcourt became unstoppable from the jump, as Cousins and Davis would both make the 2018 All-Star Game. Unfortunately, disaster would strike, as Cousins would suffer a season-ending Achilles injury against the Houston Rockets, ending his season and his time with the Pelicans. 

The following year, a blockbuster signing was made when Cousins signed with the reigning champion Golden State Warriors, creating one of the most feared lineups in NBA history. 

The Warriors would make it to the NBA Finals, but Cousins would suffer yet another major injury when he tore his left quadriceps. Despite the injury, Cousins persevered and played through it, but the Warriors would fall short as several of their key stars battled injuries. In the following years, he would play for the Nuggets, Bucks, and Clippers. As of 2022, Cousins had not played in the NBA but has continued to play overseas, including in leagues in Taiwan and around the world. 

Lasting Impact- While Cousins was an outstanding NBA player throughout his career, what he did off the court might surpass what he accomplished on the court. During his career, Cousins hosted numerous basketball camps for hundreds of children in both Sacramento and Birmingham. He has also donated money to a basketball facility in his hometown of Mobile, and has donated backpacks and school supplies to children in the Birmingham area, and has participated in many other charitable efforts to give back to his community. His generosity is only a small part of the impact he has made on children around the world.

When asked if he could say one thing to inspire kids like himself, he told The Vanguard, “Never limit yourself, don’t be afraid to think outside the box, and become comfortable with the uncomfortable. I believe you can create more opportunities for yourself that way.”

From Leflore High School to the University of Kentucky to the NBA, DeMarcus Cousins established himself as more than just a basketball player from Mobile. He became a legendary athlete who will be remembered for a lifetime.