DeMarcus Cousins is one of the most dominant players in the NBA, but doubts about his character continue to tarnish his reputation.
Duke head coach and three-time gold-medal winner Mike Krzyzewski believes Cousins "gets a bad rap sometimes" that he doesn't deserve.
Coach K appeared on Kentucky head coach John Calipari's podcast Thursday and the two discussed their former player. Krzyzewski coached Cousins on Team USA, and Calipari coached him at Kentucky for the Kings center's single college season.
Krzyzewski praised Cousins' commitment to the Team USA program after being on the select team in 2012, but not making the national team until 2014.
"For him to come back and still want it, it said a lot about how much he wanted to do it," Krzyzewski said on "Cal Cast," as transcribed by ESPN's Andy Katz. "He came through for us big time. He's tough as hell."
Cousins only played an average of 15 minutes per game at this summer's Olympics, but he stepped up while he had the opportunity - averaging 9.1 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 61 percent from the field.
"He is so damn talented. I don't think he has a position," Krzyzewski continued. "You can't call him a five or a four. Just call him a great player."
