DeMarcus Cousins calls it quits on NBA return moving forward

Feb 23, 2024, 3:18 PM | Updated: Feb 24, 2024, 2:44 pm

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San Francisco 49ers Beat Writer

After 12 years in the NBA, it appears DeMarcus Cousins is closing that chapter of his life and moving on to other opportunities.

The former Sacramento Kings center revealed in an interview with HoopsHype Friday that he has theoretically shut the door on a return to the NBA. While that could change if an opportunity was presented to him, he has no hopes of returning to the biggest basketball league in the world at this time.

“Honestly, no. I know I’ve had my time there. You know, there was a point where I was trying to make that happen. But the place I’m in my life now, just with everything I’ve got going on, just outside of basketball, like I’m in a good place. So, like I said, I’m excited for what I have ahead and my future. You know, my 12 years in the league were a small chapter or chapters in my life. And, I’m ready to move on to the next and see what’s in store for me.”

https://twitter.com/hoopshype/status/1761157035263942851

Drafted by the Kings with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Cousins became a franchise building block for Sacramento. He averaged 21.1 points per game and 10.8 rebounds during his tenure in the California Capitol, making three Aall-Star teams, as well.

The Alabama native was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans during all-star weekend in 2017, playing a year and a half for them. Unfortunately, he suffered a career-altering Achilles injury the following season. He would go on to play for the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks and Denver Nuggets thereafter. His last season in the NBA was 2021-22, most recently playing in Taiwan’s T1 League for the Beer Leopards.

While his NBA career ended prematurely, he has no regrets about the journey, excited for what’s ahead.

“As far as living life with regrets, I never do. I feel like you learn from every loss and every win, but more so the losses. I’m okay with that. Like people call them L’s. It can stand for loss or it can stand for lesson. So, I’ve never lived a life of regret because like I said, every moment, good or bad, is done to improve you in some type of way. And I’m all for it,” Cousins told HoopsHype.

Still only 33 years old, “Boogie” Cousins will look to continue his basketball journey overseas.