DeMarcus Cousins among former 'Cats putting up insane numbers in Puerto Rico

DeMarcus Cousins‘ NBA career might be over, but he’s still got plenty of good basketball left in him.

Nearly a month ago on April 11, Cousins signed a deal with the Guaynabo Mets of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico. It’s a small league consisting of only 12 teams, but attached with a rich history that dates back to 1929. The likes of Phil Jackson, Tex Winter, Dr. Jack Ramsey, P.J. Carlesimo, and Bernie Bickerstaff are among some of the great NBA coaches that got their start in the BSN.

Now, it’s Cousins’ turn to make a mark on the league as he enters the twilight years of his basketball career. Dropping 31 points, 19 rebounds, three assists, and four blocks with five made three-pointers is a good place to start, which is exactly what the former Wildcat did earlier this week.

Demarcus Cousins @boogiecousins getting BUSY in Puerto Rico 31pts 19reb 4blk (5/8 3FG) last game 🔥 Got the commentators going crazy after the blocks 😂 @bsnpr pic.twitter.com/fzgOCT16HA

— Swish Cultures (@swishcultures_) May 9, 2023

Cousins, now 32 years old, has already scored 78 points and grabbed 43 rebounds in just 97 minutes across four games as a member of the Guaynabo Mets, according to the league’s website. He’s shooting 54 percent from two-point range and 35 percent from beyond the arc.

But that’s not even the craziest part of this story…

Cousins’ impressive performance was just enough to lead the Guaynabo Mets to a tightly-contested 87-86 victory. The team on the losing end? Piratas de Quebradillas, which has an even greater Kentucky connection.

Both Brandon Knight and Terrence Jones play for Piratas de Quebradillas. Knight, who actually leads the league in scoring at 24.6 points per outing and recently recorded a 50-point game, signed with the franchise in mid-March while Jones signed on the same day that Cousins did with the Guaynabo Mets.

In the loss, Knight posted 19 points, four rebounds, and four assists. He shot 5-16 from the floor and went just 1-9 from long range, but did go a perfect 8-8 from the free throw line. He’s scored 443 total points across 18 games so far this season. Meanwhile, Jones added 12 points and three blocks on 5-9 overall shooting in what was his first game with the franchise. The Piratas de Quebradillas also features former NBA center Hassan Whiteside.

But wait, there’s more! A fourth former Kentucky player, Aaron Harrison, is also part of the BSN, suiting up for Indios de Mayaguez. Harrison has played in five games this season, averaging 15.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per contest.

Does the Baloncesto Superior Nacional have a streaming service?