How close an NBA All-Star came to the NBL

DeMarcus Cousins came closer to the NBL than most fans realise.

The four-time NBA All-Star, unveiled this week as the NBA ambassador for HoopsFest, has revealed that Australia was a serious option as he weighed his next move after the NBA. He also says the door to the League isn’t closed.

“(The NBL) got on my radar when I started my transition out of the league,” he said.

“I had a lot of overseas offers and Australia was one of them, and it made me start looking at it as a potential place.

“It never really came about… the business side had to make sense for me, obviously.”

Cousins will touch down in Perth for HoopsFest, which tips off on January 13 with five straight days of NBL and WNBL action.

When the NBL interest emerged, Cousins said he used that time to lock in on what the League had to offer, and he instantly became a big fan.

“(I was) just doing my little research and learning about the different players,” he added.

“That’s how I also learned about Bryce Cotton. I knew who he was, you know, when he had his small stint in the league, but I didn’t realise the type of legacy he had created for himself overseas.”

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While Cousins may be in the next phase of his career, further involvement in the NBL isn’t off the table, with talk of expansion in the near future.

“If an opportunity presents itself that makes sense for me, I would jump on it,” he said.

“Like I said, I am a fan of the League. I’m watching… I’m a fan from afar.

“I’m watching how it’s continuing to grow each year. I’m seeing the different talent that’s becoming a part of it. A lot of familiar faces that I’ve also played with or played against.”

Cousins has previously been very vocal about how much he enjoys the battles between the likes of Cotton and Kendric Davis, and believes they’re more unique than people realise.

“The drama is incredible. It’s like a hoop game soap opera,” he said.

“I think it’s great. I think it’s entertaining. It makes that many more eyes want to watch it.

“Sometimes the hoop part may not attract you, but the drama part will. So, it’s still a positive.

“I think the League is doing incredible and I’m excited for the growth. I’m excited for the expansion. I can’t wait to see what it turns into.”