As the sun set on DeMarcus Cousins’ NBA career after 12 seasons, four NBA All-Star selections, and a run as one of the most dominant big men the league had ever seen, he then set out on a basketball adventure.
Following this NBA career, Cousins used basketball as a vehicle to explore the world, with stops in Puerto Rico, Taiwan, Mongolia, and the Philippines, not only learning about the game’s global footprint, but also how the rest of the world was catching up.
TICKETS: Get your tickets for NBA House Australia here
“The biggest teaching for me is just learning about how much talent there is throughout the world,” Cousins said on a conference call with Australian journalists.
“I’ve been blessed enough [that] my experience started with the NBA, but on the tail end of my career, I got to experience other places and meet talent throughout the world.”
“Being in the NBA starting off, it kind of created a closed mind for me, as far as the most talent in the world. Obviously, I think the NBA has the most elite talent, but that’s a small pool of 300 to 400 guys. Outside of that, there’s so much more talent; some that’s known about, some that’s undiscovered. It helped me grow my appreciation for the game.
“I see how much the game is loved worldwide and it just opened my eyes to see how many people can really play this game at a high level.”
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Cousins helping grow the game on a global scale
The second act of Cousins’ basketball career has seen him continue to rack up the airline miles, jetting off around the world as an NBA ambassador.
While the NBA’s international audience continues to grow, with 75 percent of its television audience coming from outside the United States, as of 2024, Cousins says it’s still a shock to see devoted fans in every corner of the earth.
“We were in Hong Kong, and a random person walks by and says, ‘DeMarcus, what are you doing here?'” Cousins recalled.
“It put things into perspective for me. I’m known throughout the world, in places I didn’t think. It just goes to show how far this game spreads throughout the world.”
Big energy. Bigger smiles. 🔥
DeMarcus Cousins is in the building and showing love to the Delhi fans! The vibes at the #BUDXNBAHouse meet and greet were 10/10.#NBAHouse #NBAIndia #BudweiserIndia || @BudweiserIndia @TISSOT @VisitTheUSA @VisitCA pic.twitter.com/TB9J6mnmO3
— NBA India (@NBAIndia) May 10, 2026
Last week, he headlined NBA House in India, engaging with fans in one of the fastest-growing NBA markets in the world, and this week he’ll be touching down in Melbourne for the first-ever NBA House event in Australia.
“I’m excited to take this to Australia,” Cousins said. “I love spreading knowledge, I love spreading the game, sharing my experiences… I’m glad to be a part of this.”
The four-day basketball extravaganza taking place at The Timber Yard in Port Melbourne from May 14-17 will see Cousins joined by Utah Jazz big man and former Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr., Aussie Johnny Furphy of the Indiana Pacers, and a host of other celebrities, featuring live playoff watch parties, meet-and-greets, exclusive merchandise, and a celebration of the game.
TICKETS: Get your tickets for NBA House Australia here
Come and meet NBA ROYALTY in Melbourne!!!
Demarcus Cousins will be pulling up to NBA House for a weekend of hoops, music and basketball culture.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the action.
📍 The Timber Yard, Melbourne
📅 May 14-17
🎟️ Tickets… pic.twitter.com/PeP2c8PFNH
— NBA Australia (@NBA_AU) May 8, 2026
“[A lot of people] don’t get the luxury of being in the presence of an NBA guy, or the luxury of going to these games,” Cousins added.
“These moments are everything for them. You can see the happiness, you can see the joy, you can see the admiration in their eyes, as far as having these opportunities and having these experiences. It’s a really cool thing to see. I’m happy to be a part of it.”