Top 15 NBA Players Drafted Since 2010

Photo Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Images

4. Demarcus Cousins
Draft: 2010
Pick: 5th overall
College: Kentucky

Demarcus Cousins has emerged as arguably the best center in the NBA, after a breakout season that showed just how special of a player he is. Cousins averaged 24.1 points/12.7 rebounds/ 3.6 assists/ 1.8 blocks and 1.5 steals per game in a season in which he was an All-Star for the first time as well as an All-NBA 2nd Team member.

Cousins is a truly special player with a big-bully attitude to go with it. An absolute monster in the post as well as skills with the ball in his hands. Cousins showed not only improved jump-shooting but also surprising ball-handling ability to where you can even give him that rare “point enter” label. The amount of things that Boogie can do on the basketball court is nearly uncountable.

Here’s an example of just how good Demarcus Cousins is. On April 1, 2015, Cousins recorded his second career triple-double with 24 points, 21 rebounds, 10 assists, 6 blocks and 3 steals in a 111-115 loss to the Houston Rockets. In doing so, Cousins became just the fourth player in NBA history to collect 20+ points, 20+ rebounds, 10+ assists and 5+ blocks in single game, joining Kareem Abdul-Jubbar, Chris Webber and Tim Duncan.

In the following game against the New Orleans Pelicans, in just under 42 minutes of action, Cousins recorded 24 points, 20 rebounds and a career-high 13 assists in a 95-101 loss. Cousins joined elite company as one of only three players in NBA history to have consecutive 20-point, 20-rebound, 10-assist games; the others being Elgin Baylor and Wilt Chamberlain.