DeMarcus Cousins has played under some of the most iconic coaches in basketball. But if you ask Boogie who truly influenced him, the only name he’ll say is Coach Cal from his Kentucky days. Despite being a crucial figure in Cousins’ journey, their relationship was more complicated than it seemed. John Calipari’s influence wasn’t just about coaching; it was about pushing Cousins toward his $94 million NBA career, even if it meant showing him the door in a way that felt like an ultimatum.

On a recent Club 520 Podcast, Cousins opened up about his journey from the University of Kentucky to the NBA, and it was clear that Calipari played a pivotal role in that transition. Cousins recalled, “Cal told me, ‘If you want to take care of my family, you can stay. If you want to take care of yours, you’re out of here.’”

According to Cousins, at that time, he wasn’t ready to declare for the NBA draft. But Calipari’s encouragement was the game-changer that led him to take the plunge, as the Sacramento Kings picked him as the 5th overall pick. “That’s real. And it took a coach like him to understand both sides. We’ve all heard the horror stories of coaches holding guys back, and they miss their shot. Cal understood it was bigger than basketball—it was about life,” Boogie further revealed on the podcast.

Calipari has always spoken highly of Cousins’ impact on the team, once saying, “DeMarcus Cousins was probably a difference-maker for us. He’s just a beast.” Cousins’ one-season stint with Kentucky was nothing short of spectacular, averaging 15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game. His dominant presence on the court helped lead the Wildcats to the Elite Eight of the 2010 NCAA Tournament.

Interestingly, back in 2010, Cousins echoed the same story during the NBA Draft. “He told me it’s my time to go,” Cousins recalled, nodding when a reporter asked if Calipari had pushed him out. That push led to a multi-million-dollar NBA career in which he earned $94 million and an unforgettable chapter in Cousins’ life.

Recently, as Calipari moved on from Kentucky to Arkansas, Boogie expressed confidence in his former coach’s impact, saying he’ll “change Arkansas just as he did to UK.”

DeMarcus Cousins sees history repeating

Earlier this year, DeMarcus Cousins didn’t hold back on his podcast, Bully Bal, when discussing Coach Calipari’s exit from the Kentucky Wildcats. “I think we’ve seen this movie before with Cal,” Cousins said, predicting that Arkansas would become the next big destination under Calipari’s watch. According to Cousins, wherever Calipari goes, that place becomes the new hotspot. And now, he believes Arkansas will dominate, pulling in top recruiting classes year after year.

“Arkansas will be full of celebrities. … will have the most talent coming in and out every single year. The machine will continue to go, it’ll just be in a new place,” Boogie said.

Cousins also thinks the move is perfect for both Calipari and Kentucky. He feels it’s a much-needed fresh start for Calipari and a new chapter for the Wildcats, allowing both sides to reset and re-energize. Cousins pointed out that Calipari’s departure opens doors for new growth on both fronts.

With Calipari in Arkansas, Cousins suggests that the pressure to win a championship every year will ease up. Unlike the constant high expectations at Kentucky, Calipari will have room to rebuild and redefine success on his terms. “I think with Cal, he’s now in a place where it’s not this pressure to bring in a championship every single season since that’s the standard at UK.”

Stay tuned for more such updates and join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.