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DeMarcus Cousins says college basketball is ‘BS’

Arkansas v Kentucky

LEXINGTON, KY - JANUARY 23: DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Kentucky Wildcats signals that his team is number one during the SEC game against the Arkansas Razorbacks on January 23, 2010 at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 101-70. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

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DeMarcus Cousins isn’t known for keeping his thoughts to himself. He shared his Thursday regarding Zion Williamson, the Duke star’s knee injury and the amateurism structure of the NCAA.

“Knowing what I know now, college is bull----,” Cousins said. “College basketball and the NCAA is bull----. My advice for him is do what’ s best for him and his family.

“It does nothing for you at this point. You’ve proven you’re the No. 1 pick coming out. You’ve proven your talent. Get ready for the next level.”

Cousins spent just one year in college, starring alongside John Wall at Kentucky in 2009-10 before going on to being the No. 5 pick in the NBA draft. It was a year, apparently, that Cousins enjoyed - but not enough to sway his overall opinion on the disparity of power between the system and its athletes.

“I loved my experience in college,” Cousins said. “That was some of the best years of my life playing basketball. With that being said, just with how crooked the NCAA is.”

Cousins has a unique perspective on this as not only a former college star, a high draft pick and All-Star but as a player whose career was put in jeopardy with injury - an Achilles tear last year.

While Williamson has no doubt benefited from his time at Duke, from ascending to the top of draft boards to the increase in exposure and brand equity, few would argue that Duke and the entire college basketball ecosystem haven’t accrued benefits that far exceed those ancillary ones for Williamson.

“It’s bull----,” Cousins said. “It’s been bull----.”

The man makes a point.