Team USA Invites DeMarcus Cousins to Mini-Camp


Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has let it be known that he wants to play for USA Basketball, this despite some friction between the organization and the young, hot-headed big man. Chairman Jerry Colangelo is willing to overlook the past, it seems, and has invited Boogie to Team USA’s mini-camp this summer. Per Yahoo! Sports: “After much debate among USA Basketball executives, a source said, Cousins, 22, was extended an invite to take part in the minicamp with a chance to land a spot on Team USA. ‘You bury the past and go forward,’ Colangelo said. ‘He’s invited and he’s definitely on the list. New year, new summer, new opportunity.’ Cousins, who’s played three seasons with the Kings, is one of the NBA’s most gifted big men, with an ability to score inside in a variety of ways, shoot from deep, handle the ball and pass. The 6-foot-11, 270-pounder averaged 17.1 points and 9.9 rebounds in 75 games for the Kings last season. Much of his career, however, has been blemished by verbal run-ins with former Kings head coaches Keith Smart and Paul Westphal, teammates, other team personnel and media.”