Former NBA All-Star DeMarcus Cousins revealed Friday that ex-Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle sent him unusual selfies as part of a recruitment effort during his prime, describing the tactic as off-putting.
Appearing on FanDuel TV’s “Run It Back” show, Cousins, 35, shared the anecdote while discussing Carlisle’s coaching style. “He’d send me weird selfies and say, ‘I’m thinking about you, and I really want to coach you,'” Cousins said, adding that the messages came during a period when the Mavericks were seeking a dominant big man to pair with Dirk Nowitzki. Cousins, nicknamed “Boogie,” noted he left the texts unread and ultimately did not join the team.
The clip, posted on Instagram by the show’s account, featured co-hosts Michelle Beadle and Lou Williams reacting with laughter, with the caption reading: “Lou & Michelle were not gonna let Boogie just breeze by this one 😭💀 You can’t blame Rick Carlisle for doing whatever it took to add a dominant big man in Dallas 💯 — or Boogie for leaving the selfies and texts on read 📵.”
Carlisle, 66, coached the Mavericks from 2008 to 2021, winning an NBA title in 2011. He now leads the Indiana Pacers and has not commented on the story. Cousins, who retired in 2024 after stints with several teams including the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors, currently co-hosts the show.
The revelation drew amused reactions online, with fans sharing memes and clips across social media platforms
