EKxclusive: Former Sacramento King DeMarcus Cousins speaks to Ekalavyas
The four-time NBA All-Star is currently in India for the 2026 BudX NBA House weekend to be held in Delhi on May 9 and 10
(This is a throwback interview from January 2015, and has been mildly edited for currentness.)
1. How did you start playing basketball? What drew you to this game?
By the time I was 14, I was already over six feet tall. While walking in my middle school campus in eighth grade, a coach saw me and asked me if I wanted to play on the school’s basketball team. With a little push from my mom, I decided to join the team. I was good right away. I could score easily and I started getting attention from scouts. Everyone kept telling me to take it serious and I had a future so it made me want to get even better.
2. What was the atmosphere like growing up and playing basketball in Mobile? How did basketball play a role in you staying out of trouble and on the right path in a rough neighborhood like Mobile, Alabama?
I realized that basketball could actually take me places and my mom really wanted to me to get a college education. I knew that if I ever wanted to play college ball, it would take a lot of dedication, focus and hard work. I just remember spending most of my days practicing and playing pick up. I really stayed out of trouble because I really didn’t have the time which was good. Every weekend was a tournament, every day a practice, every day a game is what it felt like.
3. How did the US system, where the competition and talent increases as you get further along in your career, help you develop as a player?
Starting at AAU LeFlore Magnet High School at the age of 14, I was able to play with and against players with similar levels of skills to mine and to learn from coaches who really knew the game of basketball. The competition increased with age and by the time I entered the NCAA, I was working harder than I had ever done before. I can definitively say that AAU and NCAA helped me develop my talent to allow me to compete at a professional level.
4. Your mother has been your support system throughout your life. Tell us about the role your mother has played in your journey from a boy in Mobile, Alabama to an All-Star prospect in the NBA.
My mom is my biggest supporter. I feel blessed to have her in my life. Growing up, she put everything aside to allow my siblings and me to have the best life possible. From driving me to practice to helping make the right choices on schools and teams, she is the reason I was able to excel and become the NBA player I am today.
5. It is said that John Calipari’s decision to coach the Kentucky basketball team was your reason to choose University of Kentucky over UAB. How did that one-year at Kentucky playing under Coach Calipari and playing with the fantastic 2009-10 Kentucky team, that included John Wall, Eric Bledsoe and Patrick Patterson (all who have become valuable contributors to top teams in the NBA), help you prepare for the NBA game?
The year I spent playing NCAA basketball at the University of Kentucky was a year where I not only grew my skills but also learned the true stamina required to play professionally. I committed to Kentucky to play under Coach Calipari, who is still a mentor to this day. He always treated all the players like a family, but allowed us to grow into men who could compete in the NBA. I look back at my time at Kentucky all the time. Those fans are crazy about basketball!
6. How did you get the nickname ‘Boogie’? The Kings fans also call you ‘DMC’. Which nickname do you prefer?
While at Kentucky, Coach Rod Strickland one day said, “Man, you got a lot of Boogie.” After that, every time he saw me he called out Boogie and it just stuck. DMC sort of just stuck right when I got drafted. I love both. All the UK fans call me by Big Cuz to this day.
7. People say that your temperament was your weakness in your first few seasons. Now, you’ve matured. How did you bring about this transformation? I am learning how to handle situations better from my time in the NBA and experience with Team USA. I am also continuing to challenge myself more and I of course am now the leader of this team so I have to set the example.
8. How do you compare the experience of playing for a ball club as opposed to representing your country?
Playing for the league is great of course, but playing on an international platform representing your country is an honor. The patriotism and pride you feel is crazy. Everyone on that team was playing for one country and one goal. Team USA experience has helped me appreciate how much pride I have in playing for the city of Sacramento as well. It’s a great city and has the best fans in the world. Wish Sacramento would get more credit but I’m trying to change that.
9. You have the potential to transform the power forward/ center position in the NBA. Despite your size, you have great ball handling skills and shooting touch, while at the same time, people have referred to you as the “most unstoppable inside force” since Shaquille O’Neal. What do you think of that comparison and how would you describe your style of play?
Shaq is a legend and one of the greatest big mans in the league. Being compared to him means a lot to me. I hope to continue to show the levels of skill and play that will keep people comparing me to him. I respect Shaq a lot and strive to achieve what he has on and off the court.
10. Your majority owner Vivek Ranadive is Indian-origin. Do you have any plans of visiting India in the near future?
No, I haven’t been to India yet, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ve heard from Vivek that it’s an amazing country. And I’ve been working on my Bhangra so I know I’m going to impress you all once I’m there. There’s actually a video of me out there on YouTube doing the Bhangra dance at one of my neighbor’s, who was Indian, birthday parties. You all will have to find it.
11. The Kings and Vivek have looked to promote you among the Indian basketball community over the last few years. How do you think that the Indian audience can relate to you as a star and your approach to the game?
I’m grateful for the support the Kings and Vivek have for me, it is humbling to say the least. I hope the residents and basketball fans of India are able to see that hard work and dedication creates success.
12. Any suggestions/tips for young ballers in India trying to improve their game?
Keep working hard, keep learning the game and remember you always have the potential to grow your game. My favorite player was Carmelo Anthony so I used to study his moves and watch all his games then try to do what he did. I know that it won’t be long before I’m playing alongside one of you guys. My man Sim is doing well here, working on his game and I know there’s more coming.
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