Could Cousins be UK’s top NBA prospect?
November 11th, 2009 | 
Author: By LARRY VAUGHT
John Wall is considered Kentucky’s best freshman, but he makes it sound like that honor should go to teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
“DeMarcus is a machine. There’s not much a team can do when you give it to him in the post. He’s 6-11 and has a huge wingspan. He has developed a hook shot and has a strong post move,” Wall said. “Everybody on this team has got better. All of us are working daily and coach Cal is breaking our bad habits and you can tell DeMarcus is a whole lot better than before.
“He works hard. He has lost weight. He is running the court, finishing plays and having a good time on the court.”
Tennessee star Tyler Smith saw Cousins play in LeBron James’ summer camp two years ago. He came away impressed. “He’s a good player. He is a big body kid who knows how to work in the post. It’s no surprise to me he is a top five player,” Smith said.
John Calipari knows DeMarcus Cousins still has a lot of maturing to do. Yet the Kentucky coach continues to be impressed with his freshman.
“Cousins has been ridiculous,” Calipari said. “He has a lot of growing up to do and he gets mad when I won’t let him play point guard. He has been crazy good. He is giving all he has. It has been fun to see him working so hard and trying so hard to get better. He’s been good defensively, too.”
Former UK All-American Kenny Walker likes what he has seen from Wall. However, he loves the potential he sees in Cousins.
“He is probably the best NBA prospect (of the freshmen) because of his size and shooting touch. I like his overall skill level. He needs to get in their and mix it up regularly. From what I have seen of him in practice and pickup games, he tends to drift outside a little bit. That is fine because he can do it, but he has to learn to be the guy inside.”
Posted in UK Basketball
This Class is the best thing that could have happened for BIG CUZ, You Have a Preseason ALL-AMERICAN to have to bang around on in practice,and no doubt school you more than once..LOL..You have a future NBA Big Man In your class working you harder than you have ever worked in ORTON, And you have Perry stevenson who can Play with anyone in the country and if he had been handled differently the last two years would be an NBA Invite, And Can still be considered a pro talent in many areas….I will say nice chat from TYLER SMITH, usually don’t get that out of a BRUCE PEARL player, Good to see…WOW!!! Is It FRIDAY Yet?!!!GO BIG BLUE!!!
Tyler is a good guy. I really like him and he really respects UK
TRUBLU69 is right. One of the biggest knocks on Cuz is that he tends to take a lot of time off during games. This season he will not have that luxury for even one play. If he had come in with a lesser class, he may have continued those habits. Thankfully, we will get to see him performing at his highest level, or not at all, it will be totally up to him. Something tells me that it won’t be a problem though. I believe he will astound us this season. GO BIG BLUE!!!
Big Cuz is one of the nicest freshman I have ever met. And I have met a lot. If he gets what the coach is doing like he gets what it means to play for the BBN and I think he will he will be a double double guy by the end of the year. I really was impressed by him. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. GO BLUE OR STAY HOME
Same here. He could be pretty special and I love his personality
Larry, you’ve had a lot of quotes from Tyler Smith recently that are really positive and respectful about UK, Coach Cal, and our players. He’s a player I’ve always really liked (in spite of the team he plays for), but the view you’re giving us of him has raised him even higher in my estimation.
Thanks for showing us the positive in college basketball, not just from UK but beyond.
I like doing that. Most kids just like to talk and share stories. Most also really respect UK. Tyler is a young man I like talking to as well. Glad you enjoyed his comments