NBA veteran and Olympic gold medallist DeMarcus Cousins has been announced as the new face of HoopsFest for NBL27, with the former fifth overall pick in the 2010 NBA Draft set to return Down Under after a brief visit in May for the NBA House Australia event.<\/p>\n
![\"NBA](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/d72ebcfc7eb88112016730a4ebd56fcc.jpeg\")
NBA veteran DeMarcus Cousins is coming to Perth in January for HoopsFest.Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The 6\u201910\u201d big man spent 11 seasons in the NBA, playing 674 regular-season games across several clubs, most notably the Sacramento Kings, where he established himself as one of the league\u2019s premier centres.<\/p>\n
He last appeared in the NBA during the 2021-22 season with the Denver Nuggets.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am excited to get back to Australia and experience all Perth has to offer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter receiving such a warm welcome on my last visit. Western Australia is meant to be incredible in January, and it\u2019s a dream to finally experience it first-hand.<\/p>\n
Four time NBA All star DeMarcus Cousins prepares for the launch of the NBA House live site in Port Melbourne. Picture: Jake NowakowskiSource: News Corp Australia<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to explore the beaches, head over to Rottnest Island and hopefully meet a quokka, and try a glass of Margaret River\u2019s incredible wine, all while watching some amazing games with the fans. Can\u2019t wait to see you there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sacramento Kings centre DeMarcus Cousins puts on his headband before the start of the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Chicago Bull, Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2016, in Sacramento, Calif. The Bulls won 107-102. (AP Photo\/Rich Pedroncelli) ORG XMIT: OTKRP115Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The announcement comes after last season\u2019s visit from Iverson left many fans underwhelmed<\/a>, with the NBA legend facing criticism over several incidents during his time in Australia, including a controversial meet-and-greet involving Challenge, a not-for-profit organisation that supports children and families living with cancer.<\/p>\n Iverson and his management reportedly left children and families waiting for hours, with some claiming they had travelled more than six hours to attend the event.<\/p>\n One attendee took to Reddit<\/a> to voice their frustration over the experience.<\/p>\n Allen Iverson looks on as he watches the game during the round 17 NBL match between Sydney Kings and Brisbane Bullets at RAC Arena, on January 15, 2026, in Perth, Australia. (Photo by James Worsfold\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cAfter waiting hours, his security firmly told us he is not signing anything at all,\u201d the post continued.<\/p>\n \u201cWe did not get to talk to him, and he did not say a word to anyone.\u201d<\/p>\n At the time, Challenge CEO David Rogers also expressed his disappointment with how the event unfolded.<\/p>\n \u201cChallenge was deeply disappointed with the meet and greet involving Allen Iverson,\u201d Rogers said.<\/p>\n Adding to the controversy surrounding Iverson\u2019s Australian visit, NBL legend Chris Anstey had also publicly expressed his disappointment after the former NBA superstar failed to appear at an event in Melbourne just days earlier.<\/p>\n NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson talks to the media during an NBL HoopsFest media opportunity at the Westin Hotel on January 15, 2026 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane\/Getty Images for NBL)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n The free event had been promoted as a guest speaking appearance by Iverson, with some fans travelling interstate to attend the Melbourne function.<\/p>\n \u201cReally, really disappointing for the kids, including my young fellow, who is reasonably distraught,\u201d he said<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve heard a few of these stories floating around Perth, but it\u2019s pretty disappointing when it\u2019s a 2 to 4 o\u2019clock event. It\u2019s now 4:15 and Iverson is not turning up.\u201d<\/p>\n