“15 Years Later, DeMarcus Cousins Says Kentucky Was ‘My Best Years Ever’ — Big Cuz Praises Wildcat Brotherhood and Loyal Fanbase”
Fifteen years have come and gone since DeMarcus Cousins first put on that iconic Kentucky Wildcats jersey, but to hear him talk about it today, you’d think it was yesterday. For a player who’s experienced the full spectrum of professional basketball — the highs of All-Star selections, the lows of crushing injuries, and the grind of multiple NBA teams — it’s telling that he still regards his time in Lexington as the pinnacle of his basketball journey. In his own words, “My best years ever.” And that isn’t just a throwaway line. That’s reverence. That’s loyalty. That’s love for a time that shaped the man and athlete known as “Boogie.”
Cousins’ Kentucky stint during the 2009–2010 season under then-coach John Calipari was short-lived but legendary. One season was all it took for him to leave an indelible mark on the program and the hearts of Big Blue Nation. He was a force of nature, averaging 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. Beyond the numbers, he brought energy, emotion, and personality — a combination that Kentucky fans ate up like gospel. In every corner of Rupp Arena, you could feel the excitement when DeMarcus Cousins stepped on the court. He was dominant, defiant, and unforgettable.
It’s rare for athletes to speak so glowingly about college once they’ve reached the bright lights of the NBA, but Cousins isn’t just any athlete. He’s a Wildcat through and through. Even after donning multiple pro uniforms — from the Sacramento Kings to the Golden State Warriors and even stints overseas — he circles back to Lexington when asked about what truly mattered. “The UK fanbase is insane… they still support us like we were there last week,” Cousins recently said in an emotional interview. It’s a sentiment that doesn’t just speak to the fans, but to the familial culture Kentucky cultivates.
Cousins and his teammates from that 2009–2010 squad weren’t just roommates or colleagues — they were brothers. That season, which featured names like John Wall, Eric Bledsoe, and Patrick Patterson, was electric. Kentucky was back. The program didn’t just win games — it reinvigorated a basketball-mad state and reminded the nation that Kentucky doesn’t rebuild; it reloads. For Cousins, that connection wasn’t just about winning. It was about building something bigger than basketball.
To this day, Big Cuz keeps in touch with many of his former teammates. The brotherhood they formed remains intact, a bond forged through early morning practices, NCAA tournament heartbreaks, and unforgettable moments under the lights of Rupp. “Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat,” Cousins said. And that statement, as simple as it is, holds monumental meaning for those who’ve worn the blue and white. It’s not a slogan. It’s a way of life.
What’s perhaps most striking is how Cousins speaks about the Kentucky fanbase. It’s one thing to be loved during your tenure, another to feel the same embrace 15 years later. “They still support us like we were there last week.” That line says everything. Kentucky fans are notorious for their intensity, their passion, and their unwavering support. But for Cousins, that love has transcended time. Whether he’s recovering from an injury, bouncing between teams, or simply living his post-prime career years, Kentucky fans have been in his corner. They’ve never forgotten him, and he’s never forgotten them.
Even in the world of social media, where players often feel the weight of criticism, Cousins acknowledges that Kentucky fans are different. They’re harsh when they need to be, sure, but it’s all rooted in love. They want the best for their Wildcats — former and current. They follow careers with a pride that goes beyond wins and losses. DeMarcus Cousins knows this because he’s lived it. He’s felt the roar of Rupp. He’s seen kids wearing his jersey a decade after he left campus. He’s experienced what it means to be part of Big Blue Nation — a loyalty that doesn’t expire with graduation or draft day.
Cousins’ legacy at Kentucky isn’t just about stats or accolades. It’s about heart. He played with edge. He wore his emotions on his sleeve. He sometimes crossed the line, but he never played without passion. That raw intensity made him beloved. Fans related to that fire because Kentucky basketball is about more than just skill — it’s about grit, tradition, and playing for something bigger than yourself. Cousins embodied that.
And now, 15 years later, his reflections come at a moment when college sports have transformed drastically. NIL deals, transfer portals, and social media branding dominate the landscape. Yet, amidst all the change, Cousins’ words feel like a grounding force. A reminder of what college basketball can mean at its purest. It’s not just a stepping stone. For some, it’s the best part of the journey. That Cousins sees Kentucky that way is both a testament to the program and to his character. It proves that for all his fame, he hasn’t forgotten where it all started.
It’s no wonder that when Cousins makes appearances in Lexington, the reception is thunderous. Fans line up for autographs. Kids scream his name. And older fans recount their favorite Boogie moments like they happened yesterday. Whether it was his game-winner against Mississippi State, his on-court flexes, or his fierce rivalry games, Cousins provided memories that never faded. He wasn’t just a player; he was an experience.
The love goes both ways. Cousins has donated time, resources, and praise to Kentucky over the years. Whether it’s mentoring younger players, speaking about the value of college basketball, or showing support for John Calipari, he remains deeply intertwined with the program’s fabric. And as the years go by, that connection only seems to grow stronger. For Cousins, Kentucky isn’t just where he played ball — it’s where he found himself.
That 2009–2010 squad didn’t win the national title, but they reignited the soul of Kentucky basketball. Cousins was a major part of that ignition. His authenticity, vulnerability, and warrior mentality gave fans someone to rally behind. He wasn’t polished or manufactured. He was real — raw and real. And in a program steeped in legacy and lore, sometimes that realness is what elevates you to icon status. Cousins has that status, and it’s well-earned.
What makes Cousins’ reflections even more poignant is the journey he’s taken since Kentucky. He’s had All-NBA seasons. He’s faced injury after injury. He’s fought to stay relevant in a league that moves fast and shows little mercy to the wounded. And yet, through it all, he carries Kentucky with him. Not as a resume bullet point, but as a badge of honor. You can sense it in his interviews. You can hear it in his voice. You can see it in the way he carries himself when he’s around Wildcat family.
In an era where loyalty in sports can feel fleeting, Cousins offers something different. A reminder that roots matter. That sometimes, the best part of the ride is the beginning — when the lights were just starting to shine and the dreams were still forming. Kentucky was that beginning for DeMarcus Cousins, and he hasn’t stopped shining a light on it since.
As new generations of Wildcats enter the fold, they’ll hear the name DeMarcus Cousins and know it means something. Not just because of what he did on the court, but because of how he speaks about the experience — with awe, with emotion, with undying loyalty. For Cousins, it’s not just nostalgia. It’s truth. The best years of his life weren’t on NBA hardwoods. They were in Lexington, wearing that blue and white, with a fanbase that made him feel invincible and a team that made him feel like family.
Fifteen years later, the sentiment still echoes: “My best years ever.” It’s more than just a memory. It’s a love story between a player and a program — one that time can’t tarnish, and one that will live on as long as Kentucky basketball exists.
