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Cousins on police violence: 'I've learned about both sides'

Ethan Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins has weighed in on the police violence that is dividing communities across the United States, offering his perspective from both sides of the contentious issue.

Cousins' words are far from a vacuous display void of meaning.

With the rest of Team USA in preparation for next month's Olympics, Cousins and teammate Carmelo Anthony took part in discussions with local police, community leaders, and youth at the Boys & Girls Club in South Central Los Angeles on July 18.

If anybody would understand both sides of the divide, it's Cousins.

"I remember it being after a high school game. Me and my friends are riding home, we hop out of the car at one of the friends’ house and (the cops) pulled up on us, pulled guns on us, and everything," Cousins told The Undefeated's Marc Spears about the incident in his hometown of Mobile, Ala.

"The only reason we were good was because we were wearing our school hoodies that read, LeFlore High School. 'Sir, we are just leaving our high school game.' 'What’s your name?’ 'I’m DeMarcus Cousins.'"

"'You’re the young kid from …' 'Yes, that’s me. We are just going home.' I was scared for my life. We had rifles pulled on us."

Far from acerbic over the incident, Cousins has offered a view from the other side of the issue, reflecting on the influence an unnamed police officer from his hometown has had on him. After recent conversations with the officer he calls "one of the good guys," Cousins offers his perspective.

"I’ve learned about both sides," he said. "I respect him. I just had dinner with him the other day in Vegas. Me and his son grew up playing basketball together … I know there are good (cops.) I know that there are not good ones.

"He told me the truth, which I respect," Cousins continued. "The truth is there are good and bad. We know that. That’s the case in a lot of situations. It’s not just with (policemen.) It’s throughout the world."

Speaking from a unique context as both a role model for the next generation and a person who emphasizes with both sides, Cousins appears cognizant of his influence on the youth who look to emulate the former fifth-overall pick.

"We’re just trying to connect the two. We’re trying to show people it’s OK to be united. It’s okay to be a good person. It’s okay to try to better yourself every day."

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