Sacramento Kings All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins has been in the NBA for six seasons, but he's yet to make the playoffs. Boggie has grown frustrated with his team's failures, and his reputation with some fans has suffered for it.

Now, on the international stage with Team USA, Cousins is relishing the opportunity to finally play competitive, high-stakes basketball. As the only player on the team yet to appear in the postseason, it's an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities to a worldwide audience, as well.

He's honored to have been selected for the exclusive team. From Jason Jones of the Sac Bee:

“It’s already crazy that I’m one of the select few to be able to represent the country,” he said. “So to come home with a gold medal is something I can tell my kids, grandkids. That’s a story I’ll always be able to share.”

In the first exhibition game against Argentina in Las Vegas, Cousins dropped 14 points while grabbing 15 rebounds. He scored 12 points and snatched seven rebounds against China last night.

His play in these scrimmages and in practice, along with his demeanor off the court, has impressed longtime NBA executive and USA basketball director, Jerry Colangelo.

From Jones:

“I think he’s really matured as a person,” Colangelo said. “He understood after going through some early struggles with us he was going to have to get himself ready to play, fit in and make adjustments, and he did all of that.

“So he shows up to camp here in great shape. He’d been working for some time to get himself in shape. And attitude-wise, he’s in great shape, in my opinion. This is something he really wants. I just wish he could take part of the culture we have established here and take it back it home with him. It would help their entire organization.”

For somebody who believes he doesn't get any respect, this is some high praise from an esteemed source. It speaks to the progress Boogie has made, and as Colangelo states, it could carry over to the Kings organization as a whole.

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