DeMarcus Cousins Refused to Come Out of the Alumni Game

“Can’t wait to come back (to Rupp Arena) for preseason to play AD. Can’t wait”.

The Wildcats were represented by nine National Basketball Association draft picks, including six lottery choices, while the Tar Heels had three former draft picks – two from the lottery – wearing the other shade of blue. Head coach John Calipari was not up and screaming at his players.

According to Kyle Tucker of the Courier-Journal, Cousins posted 33 points, 18 rebounds and six assists in Kentucky’s 122-115 victory. The Golden State Warriors’ Harrison Barnes and James Michael McAdoo were among those who suited up for North Carolina.

“It’s been great. Being able to see so many successful players as the off season ends come together for the Hall of Fame ceremony was a great feeling and a lot of fun”.

Joining the now-NBA stars in the return to Kentucky were Karl-Anthony Towns, Devin Booker, Trey Lyles, Willie Cauley-Stein, Dakari Johnson, Aaron and Andrew Harrison, all who played on last year’s star-studded team.

Even with the talent mismatch, Cousins made sure the crowd got exactly what it came for, clowning around, firing at will and hitting an array of insane shots.

In five seasons with the Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins has already established himself as one of the best centers in the league.

“He stunk”, Calipari joked.

“Let me praise North Carolina”.

Calipari was honored at half time by current and former players, presented with a mosaic full of pictures of every player he has coached in his 23-year coaching career. Cauley-Stein’s emphatic rejection of Barnes drew a roar, too.

“It’s always a great feeling being here”, Jones said. “It’s always going to be the same love and just the same wonderful feeling every time I’m coming in here”. Eric Bledsoe and Jones were also participants in the game. September 13, 2015.

It was also a big night for charity.

The occasion was the annual Alumni Charity Game, which raised over $1 million thanks to the Calipari Foundation. The largest individual amount – $200,000 – went to the Naismith Hall of Fame Legacy Fund in Dean Smith’s name, and another $50,000 went to the UNC Children’s Hospital.