DeMarcus Cousins to play in Taiwan T1 League

DeMarcus Cousins. Photo from Taiwan Beer Leopards Instagram

MANILA, Philippines–After the surprise signing Dwight Howard last year, the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League acquired the services of another former NBA star in DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins, a four-time NBA Al-Star, was recently signed by the Beer Leopards to a 10-day contract.

“I believe that his (Cousins) full range of skills can bring different effects to the Beer Leopards,” the team’s CEO Zhang Jianwei said in a statement.

The 33-year-old Cousins played 11 seasons in the NBA. Cousins had his best years when he was with the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Major injuries, however, derailed his career. He last played in the NBA during the 2001-22 season as a member of the Denver Nuggets.

Suiting up in the T1 League won’t be Cousins’ first time to play overseas.

Earlier this year, Cousins played for Guaynabo Mets in Puerto Rico’s Baloncensto Superior Nacional league where he averaged 20.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.5 assists in just 25 minutes per game.

Cousins is expected to join the Beer Leopards in January and play at least four home games on January 20, 21, 27 and 28.

Howard, who once put up 84 points, 37 rebounds, nine assists and 14 blocks in a single game during his Taiwan stint, has high expectations for Cousins.

“If I had 84 imaging Boogie,” Howard tweeted.