Before the 2010 NBA Draft, we told you we were big on Kentucky center DeMarcus Cousins. Unlike other worried teams, the Sacramento Kings did not shy away from Cousins and his “character issues,” instead pulling the trigger with the fourth overall pick. Cousins rewarded Sacramento for the bold decision by playing like a future All-Star during summer league in Las Vegas. The Kings are reciprocating by doing everything possible to make DeMarcus feel at home; they announced on Thursday the hiring of Otis Hughley as a new assistant coach on the staff.
Hughley is taking the Kevin Garnett route jumping from high school to the NBA. The main reason they brought him aboard is because he was Cousins’ high school coach in Mobile, Alabama. While the high school coach label suggests Hughley is unqualified for the job, his resume says otherwise. Hughley was an assistant coach at three colleges, he’s coached for the league’s NBA China program, and he’s worked over 10 years at Pete Newell’s “Big Man Camp.” And now he’ll be Cousins’ personal babysitter help continue to develop DeMarcus Cousins’ all-around skills. Smart move for the Kings who could wind up with back-to-back rookie of the years between Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus. Sadly none of it will matter with the superteams like the trio in Miami dominating the NBA.
Sources:
KINGS ANNOUNCE ADDITION TO COACHING STAFF [NBA.com]
