DeMarcus Cousins- Mid-Major Catch
Mid-major programs usually do not land guys regarded as top 10 players
in the country. DeMarcus Cousins '09 is just that, but UAB broke the
mold by landing the in-state big man. One of the most dominant
inside-outside players in the nation, Cousins has one year left before
he takes his game to the C-USA. Once he does, expect him to make some
major noise, as he is a superstar. I had the opportunity to speak with
DeMarcus at the AAU Super Showcase in Orlando, Florida, where he was
with his Birmingham Storm (AL) squad.NB: What went into your decision to choose UAB?
DC: Mike Davis [and I] just had a great relationship throughout my past and I felt it was the right choice, and I made the decision to go to UAB.
NB: A lot of high-major schools were recruiting you as well. Why not go to one of those high-major schools that you also had a good relationship with?
DC: School prestige wasn’t really an issue for me, it was where I can get my education in a system that could fit me, and a place where I could hold a good relationship with the coach.
NB: What are your college goals? [Is there] anything you
want to accomplish?
DC: I want to get a good education and if I have the opportunity to go
one-and-done, I’m hoping I can do it.
NB: What’s your plan for how many years you’re going to go
for?
DC: I’m planning on one [year], but if it’s more . . . that’s just better for
me to get my education.
NB: Do you have a goal for how high you want to get picked
in the [NBA] Draft?
DC: I have a goal, I want to go first round, hopefully first pick, but it’s
whatever happens.
NB: What do you think you need to work on the most to be
ready for the college game?
DC: I feel I need to work on my all-around game, that’s . . . always
[necessary], just [to] keep working on everything. I can try to perfect it, but
you can never be perfect.
NB: What’s the weakest point of your game?
DC: I feel I have no weak point.
NB: What’s the strongest point of your game?
DC: Whatever you need me to do.
NB: How did you develop such an all-around game? You’re big,
but you can still hit threes. Where did that come from?
DC: I just always had a soft touch and when I first started playing that’s I could
really do, was shoot, I couldn’t guard, I couldn’t post up. . . . I just shot.
I guess I kept it from there and I learned my dribbling [from] . . . . when I
was younger [and] I went in the garage and dribbled through obstacles.
NB: Who do you think is the best player in the class of 2009?
DC: It’s [people like] John Wall, Xavier [Henry], Derrick [Favors], [and]
Renardo [Sidney]. I feel all of them [are] pretty good players.
NB: What about you?
DC: I feel I’m up there, I’m there for a reason.
NB: Do you ever look into rankings?
DC: No sir. I feel that you come out and play every day and [then] you [are] going
to find out who [is] the better player.
NB: What’s leading you to continue playing AAU [basketball]
despite being committed?
DC: Love of the game and love of my teammates.
NB: Where does that love of the game come from?
DC: I started off pathetic. I worked with the game and the game worked with me
and I just grew a love for it.
Note- photo is from http://scouthoops.scout.com/.
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