This would be the second time that the four-time NBA All-Star will represent the country in a basketball tournament, as the 6-foot-10 veteran previously suited up for Zamboanga Valientes during their championship run in The Asian Tournament in 2024.

This time, the former Sacramento Kings star will be joining the Charles Tiu-led squad in their bid for redemption in Dubai, but would this eventually open the possibilities for Cousins to play in the professional leagues here like the PBA and the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL)?

“I’m a businessman. If it makes sense, absolutely,” the 34-year-old said during SGA’s media availability on Sunday at the Gatorade Hoops Center in Mandaluyong.

But for now, Cousin’s main focus is to help Tiu and the rest of Strong Group to redeem themselves after their buzzer-beating heartbreak against Al Riyadi in the tilt’s finals in 2024.

“Our attention is winning a championship in Dubai, and we’re working towards that,” he said. “It feels great to be back here. Same support as last time, the same love, and still that same energy. I’m enjoying the experience so far, and we’ve become better the last three or four days,” added Cousins, as he spoke on his return to the Philippines.

Aside from providing firepower to the country’s representatives in Dubai, the former Golden State Warrior bared that also a part of his goals here is to serve as a mentor to a team that features the likes of young and talented big men like Ange Kouame and Allen Liwag.

“I got called old the other day, and it kinda bothered me, but it kinda put things for me into perspective,” said the 12-year NBA veteran. “I am on the other side of things now. I am the veteran on most teams that I join, so I’m enjoying the role.”

Cousins only had a few veterans to guide him early in his NBA career, especially during his days in Sacramento, which is why he knows how important it is to serve that role for his younger teammates in SGA albeit the short time that they would be sharing.

“I always enjoy passing around knowledge and teaching guys. That’s something that I always craved for as a young player, so it’s my responsibility to do the same things,” he added, while also hailing Kouame.

“He’s a young kid with potential. He’s got a lot of room to improve, and the great thing is he wants to get better. When you’re dealing with a kid like that, it’s easy to help him out, so I’ve enjoyed our relationship so far,” Cousins bared of the Ateneo de Manila University legend.

Cousins, Kouame, and the rest of SGA-Philippines will now look for these to translate on the hardcourt well when they get into action from January 24 to February 2 in Dubai.

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