DeMarcus Cousins, the former NBA All-Star, went viral two days ago after initiating a fight with a fan on the sidelines of a basketball game in Puerto Rico’s professional basketball league, Baloncesto Superior Nacional.
Following the heated incident, the former NBA All-Star is now facing severe consequences regarding his involvement in the altercation. He has reportedly been suspended from the league and lost his contract with the team. Cousins was playing for Mets de Guaynabo and has been suspended from the league for the remainder of the season and fined $4,250 for a “disqualifying foul, a technical foul, and acts that incite violence or provocation.” His fines could jump up to $10,000 if he cannot “show cause” as to why he should not be fined more.
In the video that went viral, Cousins was seen rubbing his genitals on the sidelines and making a heckler sniff his hand.
DeMarcus Cousins and a fan sitting courtside get into an altercation.
What in the world… (via @LaGuerraBSN)pic.twitter.com/TeBEugvrUq
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 10, 2025
In the follow-up video that went viral, Cousins was seen walking off the sidelines into the tunnel where he engaged with fans once again, seemingly shoving their hands away, showing the middle finger in their faces, and eventually getting drinks thrown at him by the crowd. The security staff were forced to hold Cousins back from rushing into the crowd and engaging with fans.
Here’s close of DeMarcus Cousins going crazy when fans threw beer at him pic.twitter.com/iOmtuWl8YX
— Hoops (@HoopMixOnly) June 10, 2025
In his defence, he was provoked by the fan who was heckling Cousins for seemingly crying too much, and even had his middle finger raised at him in the video. But such behavior is not acceptable from a professional. He should have simply ignored the fan, but Cousins is famously known for not keeping his emotions to himself.
Even in his NBA career, Cousins set a record that he would want to forget. In 2017, he broke the record for the fewest games taken (50 games) to reach the 16 technical foul mark, resulting in a suspension from the NBA. There were several occasions when he was fined and ejected for making obscene gestures and being too critical of the officiating.
Cousins played 11 seasons for seven teams in the NBA, including the Kings and the Nuggets. He averaged 19.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 654 regular-season games. He was selected to play in 4 All-Star games. In February 2024, Cousins retired from the NBA but did not give up on professional basketball completely. He stated politics as the reason for leaving the NBA.
Cousins, despite being injury-prone, is only 34 years old. Players older than him are still dominating in the NBA. If he hopes to make it back to the NBA someday, he needs to ensure that he keeps his professional behavior and emotions in order. Such incidents are not helping his career prospects.
