Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League.
Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January.
On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract.
Photo: CNA
“Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page.
“Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer Leopards,” he said.
On top of playing all three of the remaining regular-season games, Cousins would also play the post-season games, the Leopards said.
Cousins is donning his Leopards jersey over the weekend for two home games at the Taoyuan Arena against the Taipei Taishin Mars.
Unlike his previous home game contract, fans will have a chance to see Cousins play across the nation. His first away game is to be against the Kaohsiung Aquas, the Leopard’s final game of the regular season, which is to be played at the Kaohsiung Fengshan Stadium on Sunday next week.
The Taoyuan team have won all of their past four games and their overall record this season is 16 wins and 9 losses.
That puts them second only to New Taipei CTBC DEA whose 2023-2024 season record stands at 17 wins and nine losses.
“Honestly I’m just excited to be back with the team,” Cousins said. “I’m excited to be back with my Beer Leopards teammates and to have the camaraderie once again playing the style of basketball where we all enjoy being on the floor. We have fun playing with one another. So I look forward to that more than anything.”
Cousins’ family is joining him during his second stay in Taiwan. They also arrived at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport yesterday.
Cousins said he was convinced by Leopards CEO Johnny Chang to bring his family so that they could all enjoy Taiwan.
He said he is excited to be able to take his family all over the nation and show them the best of what Taiwan has to offer.
“We’ll explore Taiwan as much as we can,” he said. “Obviously we’re gonna have to go out there and do something because my kids are really, really active and full of energy so they are always looking for new activities.”
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