Demarcus Cousins

His exceptional talent was further recognized with a first-team Parade All-American selection in 2009 and participation in the 2009 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game. Cousins then declared for the NBA Draft, where he was selected as the fifth overall pick by the Sacramento Kings in 2010. He signed his rookie contract in July 2010 and was subsequently named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team at the end of the 2010-11 season, quickly establishing himself as a dominant center in the league. Cousins maintained his elite performance, earning four consecutive NBA All-Star selections from 2015 to 2018 and being named to the All-NBA Second Team in both 2015 and 2016.

Demonstrating his adaptability and continued passion for the game, Cousins expanded his professional experience beyond the NBA. In 2023, Cousins began his international career, playing for Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico. He continued this trajectory with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in Taiwan, where he led the team to a T1 League championship in 2024, earning both the T1 League Finals MVP and T1 League Most Popular Player of the Year awards for his outstanding performance. Cousins is slated to return to Mets de Guaynabo in Puerto Rico in 2025, and also play for Selenge Bodons in Mongolia the same year, showcasing his global marketability and ongoing impact across diverse basketball environments worldwide.