DeMarcus Cousins becomes mentor to Ange Kouame: 'He's a young kid with potential'

At 34 years old, DeMarcus Cousins is now a mentor to younger players he is playing with.

Take for example naturalized Filipino Ange Kouame, who the former NBA star is teaching while the Strong Group Athletics prepares for the Dubai International Basketball Championship.

"He's a young kid with potential," Cousins said about the 27-year old big man. "He has a lot of growing to do, and the great thing about that is he wants to grow, he wants to get better."

"When you're dealing with a kid like that, it's easy to want to help him out. He's getting better with each day," added Cousins.

Kouame played through injury in last year's Jones Cup and Cousins was impressed with how the naturalized Filipino has improved since then.

With his experience, Cousins is also aware that this is now his time to pass on the knowledge he has acquired -- a role which he had prayed for years.

"I am on the other side of things. I'm now that veteran guy on most teams that I've joined. I'm enjoying the experience, I'm enjoying the role," Cousins said.

"I always enjoy just passing around knowledge and teaching guys how to do it. That's something that I always prayed [for] as a young player, so it's my responsibility to do the same and give back." 

Kouame, meanwhile, is trying to absorb as many lessons as he can from an all-around player like Cousins.

"It feels great because he is a tough player with a lot of experience. I try to learn as much as I can from him," he said.

Cousins and the rest of the Strong Group crew will fly to Dubai on Thursday, with the competition starting on Friday.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News