DeMarcus Cousins’ days with the Sacramento Kings were shrouded in drama and losing basketball, but the former All-Star center believes he has done enough to see his jersey hanging in the Golden 1 Center rafters.
In an interview on Kings legend and current Sacramento State head coach Mike Bibby’s podcast, the Straight Game Podcast,
“Obviously, it would be an honor,” Cousins said to Bibby. “That was something that I definitely wanted and strived for as far as why I tried to go out and perform every single night. Accolade-wise, I feel like I did all the right things while I was in that jersey … As far as All-Stars, as far as All-NBA selections, numbers, gold medals.
“I put my work in. I think I earned my stripes. Obviously, it’s like you (Mike Bibby) said, it’s a political thing. But as far as the work being done, I think I did what needed to be done to join the others up in the rafters.”
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Cousins spent seven seasons with the Sacramento Kings (2010-2017) after being selected with the fifth-overall pick out of Kentucky during the 2010 NBA Draft.
The 6’10 center was dominant for a four-year stretch that saw him average 26.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 45 percent from the field and 35 percent from long distance during the 2014-17 seasons.
While Cousins’ three All-Star nods and two All-NBA Second Team honors put him in a rare pool of Kings players–some who, like Chris Webber, Mike Bibby, and Mitch Richmond, have had their numbers retired by Sacramento–his rocky tenure with the organization could make the possibility of seeing a ‘#15 Cousins’ jersey in the rafters a remote possibility.
The Kings lost–a lot–during Cousins’ time with the Kings, but not for a lack of effort on his part.
Cousins holds top-ten franchise ranks in points scored (seventh), rebounds (sixth), blocks (fourth), steals (fifth), triple-doubles (seventh), and free throws (fifth).
During his time with Sacramento, Cousins racked up 196 games with 20+ points and 10+ rebounds, beating out Webber for the most by a Kings player since the franchise relocated to Northern California in 1985.
Unlike other former players who have spent time in a Sacramento Kings uniform, Cousins hasn’t returned to Golden 1 Center outside of facing his former team as an opposing player, and on only two occasions (2017 and 2022).
Cousins’ relationship with the franchise would surely have to be mended if there was to be any chance of a jersey retirement. Still, it doesn’t seem that a resolution would be enough to result in immortalizing the number 15 jersey.
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
NBA free agency has been relatively quiet this summer, but could the Sacramento Kings shake things up with their pursuit of Jonathan Kuminga?
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to share his insights on where things stand in Kuminga’s free agency, give his take on how far away Sacramento is from being competitive again, and much more.
Plus, are the Kings still eyeing Russell Westbrook in free agency?
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Sam Amick on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.
The Sam Amick Show is brought to you by our partners at Jiffy Lube. Stop by one of their several locations today!
Sam Amick on the Kings’ pursuit of Kuminga & Westbrook
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
Sacramento Kings preseason basketball is on the way, but we’ll have to wait a bit longer before we see the Beam Team back in action.
The Kings will open up their preseason slate on Wednesday, October 8th, at home against the Toronto Raptors. You can see the full preseason schedule below, with the entire 2025-26 regular season schedule set to be released in August.
Sacramento Kings preseason schedule for the 2025-26 season:
September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, October 8th vs. Toronto Raptors – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 10th @ Portland Trail Blazers – 7 PM PT
Wednesday, October 15th vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7 PM PT
Friday, October 17th @ Los Angeles Lakers – 7 PM PT
Thank you for readingSactownSports.com. Follow us onTwitterandGoogle News, and subscribe to ourYouTubechannel.