For ex-NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins, getting up there in years comes with a new responsibility on a new team.
At 34, former NBA All-Star forward DeMarcus Cousins has been around. He boasts of a 12-year NBA career, highlighted by four All-Star Game appearances and two All-NBA Second Team mentions, a gold medal at the Rio Olympics, and a championship in the T1 league in Taiwan. He’s even played in Mongolia.
Now, Cousins is joining Strong Group Athletics (SGA) on their quest to win the 34th Dubai International Basketball Championship, where he and fellow NBA alum Andray Blatche will be the elder statesmen expected to guide this young team and claim the title that eluded SGA last year.
And as he enters his mid-thirties – considered old in basketball – Cousins is fully aware that part of his job description now includes being a mentor and “vet” to his younger and more impressionable teammates.
“Now, you know, I got called ‘old’ the other day, and it kind of bothered me, but it kind of put things into perspective for me,” Cousins said after an SGA practice on Sunday. “I am on the other side of things. I’m now that veteran guy on most teams that I joined, so I’m enjoying the experience. I’m enjoying the role, and I always enjoy just passing around knowledge and teaching guys under me, so that’s something that I always prayed as a young player, so it’s my responsibility to do the same and give back.”
One of his SGA teammates whom Cousins has taken under his wing is Gilas Pilipinas naturalized center Ange Kouame, who guarded Cousins for most of the practice.
“He’s a young kid with potential,” Cousins said of Kouame. “He has a lot of growing to do, and the great thing about that is he wants to grow, he wants to get better. So when you’re dealing with a kid like that, it’s easy to want to help him out, so he’s getting better with each day.
“Obviously, he’s coming back from the injury, so that’s kind of in his way, but he’s improving. He’s listening, he’s learning, he’s improving with each play, so I’ve enjoyed our relationship so far.”
From Zamboanga to Dubai
This is actually the second time that DeMarcus Cousins will be playing for a Philippine team. He first suited up for the Zamboanga Valientes in August last year for The Asian Tournament held in Zamboanga.
This time around, Cousins has spent most of his time in Manila, and he’s relishing every minute of it.
“I feel great to be back. Same supporters last time, same love. I feel that same energy. I’ve had more time this time in Manila, so I’ve really got to, you know, well, not really get out, but I’m getting more opportunity to get out, so I’m excited for that. Hot, just like last time, so that didn’t change, but overall, you know, I’m happy to be back.”
Interestingly, the Valientes will also be participating in Dubai, making it two Philippine teams that will be vying for the title. Cousins is looking forward to facing off against Valientes big man Rick Bryce, whom he also mentored last year.
“Oh, yeah, that’s my guy, (Valientes team owner) Junnie (Navarro), man,” Cousins said. “So, I got to talk some trash with him on the sideline, but I got relationships on that team. Me and Rick Bryce had the same type of experience where I had to teach him a lot, and we gained a relationship. So I look forward to playing him and seeing how much he’s improved since the last time we teamed up. And I’m sure it’ll be a fun game.”
Last year, with Dwight Howard leading the way, SGA fell short in the championship game to defending champions Al Riyadi. Cousins is aware of the mission this year, which is to become the first Philippine-based team to win the Dubai tournament since Mighty Sports in 2020, even if they have had only a couple of weeks to jell.
“I’ve enjoyed the experience so far, and we’ve come here, we’ve competed for the last three to four days,” he said. “We’ve gotten better with each day. You know, our intentions and goals are to win the championship with Dubai, and we’re working towards them.
“From day one to now, this is a totally different team, so I’m excited about that. We’re learning quickly. The chemistry is coming along greatly. The camaraderie is coming along greatly, so everything’s moving in the right direction.”
Banner images by Sid Ventura.