Kings’ DeMarcus Cousins: I’m a role model
By Sam Richmond
To many, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins is regarded as a loose cannon with maturity issues. But Cousins views himself in different light.
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The center told USA Basketball’s official website that he views himself as a “role model.”
"“I am a role model, absolutely. There are different types of people out there, and I come from a different type of place. So, I absolutely think I am a role model.“I come from a place where there are not a lot of opportunities,” Cousins explained. “People there, they don’t ever really dream big because they don’t think it ever really exists. Like the things you see on TV, they think it’s just a false world. And them seeing me make it, they believe it is possible. Those people grew up with me; they have seen the struggles; they have seen me fight and work my way to where I am now, so I absolutely believe I am a role model.”"
Cousins makes some great points here. He’s emerged as one of the better big men in the NBA (he’ll backup Anthony Davis for Team USA in the FIBA World Cup) and his life story is clearly one of success.
While Cousins might make a mistake here and there and get picked up apart by the media, he’s reached a level of his profession that few reach and that’s worth looking up to. He averaged 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds per game this past season with Sacramento.
The FIBA World Cup is set to begin Aug. 30 in Spain.