DeMarcus Cousins Optimistic About Basketball's Future in India Ahead of BUDX NBA House 2026
Cousins Shares Insights on Indian Basketball
New Delhi, May 8: DeMarcus Cousins has voiced his enthusiasm regarding the prospects of basketball in India, particularly as the BUDX NBA House 2026 event approaches in the capital. He commended the talent, stature, and potential of young Indian athletes.
In a conversation prior to the event, the four-time NBA All-Star expressed his eagerness to contribute to an initiative that aims to broaden the game's reach globally and unite diverse cultures through basketball.
“I’m thrilled to be involved. Promoting basketball worldwide is a wonderful endeavor. Merging cultures from various regions is a beautiful aspect of this initiative. I’m genuinely excited to be part of it,” Cousins remarked.
After observing a basketball practice session in India, the American star noted the impressive physical attributes of the players. “During my visit to a practice yesterday, the first thing that struck me was the size and height of the talent here. Height is often a significant advantage in basketball,” he stated.
Cousins also highlighted the players' skill sets, indicating that Indian basketball holds considerable promise, even though it is still developing. “I was quite impressed with the skills I witnessed. There’s a bright future ahead, although much work remains for this emerging sport,” he added.
He emphasized India's large population as a key factor in nurturing basketball talent, suggesting that the country could evolve into a formidable force in the sport. “Being one of the most populous nations, India has a tremendous opportunity to cultivate more talent. This could lead to something truly special,” Cousins noted.
Following a successful inaugural event in Mumbai last year, the BUDX NBA House will return to New Delhi, allowing fans to celebrate basketball, music, and culture on May 9 and 10 at Bharat Mandapam, coinciding with the 2026 NBA Playoffs.
This year's event promises an array of engaging experiences for attendees aged 16 and above, including on-court basketball activities, live performances by both international and Indian artists, meet-and-greet opportunities with two-time NBA champion Isiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins, as well as BUDX Masterclasses—expert-led workshops designed to educate and inspire emerging artists and fans. Additional highlights include a 3-on-3 celebrity game, streetwear showcases, photo ops with the Larry O’Brien Trophy, and performances by the Sacramento Kings mascot Slamson, the Kings Dancers, and the Kings dunk team.
The Kings, who participated in the first NBA games in India in 2019, are returning for the BUDX NBA House for the second consecutive year.