DeMarcus Cousins makes his Taiwan Beer Leopards debut tomorrow

The time has come, my Kentucky Wildcat-loving friends. DeMarcus Cousins‘ career with the Taiwan Beer Leopards begins tomorrow.

A month ago, we learned Cousins had signed a contract with the Taiwanese professional basketball team, which competes in the T1 League. Initially, that contract was for 10 days, which included four games. Now, Taiwan Beer Leopards CEO Johnny Chang says the team plans to renew Cousins’ contract monthly based on how he gels with the team.

Cousins arrived in Taiwan on Thursday to a crowd of Beer Leopards fans in the airport, some chanting “Boogie!” or, hilariously, “Cousins Uncle!” as you can see in the news clip below.

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A post shared by 台啤永豐雲豹職業籃球隊 Taiwan Beer Leopards (@taiwanbeerleopards)

Today, Cousins took part in an introductory press conference, where he showed off some of his new gear, including his new No. 15 Beer Leopards jersey. He also got in his first practice.

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A post shared by 台啤永豐雲豹職業籃球隊 Taiwan Beer Leopards (@taiwanbeerleopards)

Cousins, who suffered a torn Achilles in the 2017-18 season, last played in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets in the 2021-22 season. In 2023, the four-time NBA All-Star played for the Guaynabo Mets of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional League in Puerto Rico, leading the team to the semifinals of the BSN playoffs. Although he hasn’t played in the NBA for a few years, Cousins’ new teammates are very familiar with him, sharing their impressions and memories of his game in a video that will make you feel old.

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Cousins and the Beer Leopards play two games this weekend, facing the Tainan TSG GhostHawks tomorrow and defending T1 champion New Taipei CTBC DEA on Sunday. Later this month, the Beer Leopards will hold an exclusive meet-and-greet with Cousins, tickets for which cost 20,000 Chinese Yuan, or roughly $2,800 US Dollars.

DeMarcus Cousins Taiwan Beer Leopards merchandise available

If you’re like me and wondering how to get your hands on Boogie Beer Leopards merchandise, you may be in luck. The team teased a new line of Cousins merch, which will be available at their team store this weekend. Hopefully, that means online too, because I need some of it in my closet.