Cousins makes the call

Things didn't work out at UAB for DeMarcus Cousins, but Cousins has found a new home at another Conference USA school.

"I'm a Tiger," Cousins told Rivals.com after his weekend visit to Memphis. "I like the coaching and the playing style. I've always liked them even when I was committed to UAB.

"I got to hang out with the players and see everything this weekend on my visit and that was just icing on the cake."

Cousins, the No. 2 ranked prospect in the Rivals150, said North Carolina State and Kansas State were the other two schools on his short list.

A 6-foot-9, 250-pound power forward from Mobile (Ala.) LeFlore High School, Cousins is the most skilled big man in the class of 2009. The addition of Cousins will likely push Memphis' currently ranked No. 5 recruiting class to the No. 1 spot in the country.

DeMarcus Cousins scouting report:

An impressively physical presence, Cousins has the ability to dominate the interior. He can score in traffic and rebound in a crowd. Defensively, he is extremely difficult to score over. Not limited to being effective around the basket, Cousins can also operate on the perimeter. Perhaps his most underrated skill is his passing ability. Maturing emotionally is his biggest challenge in the development of his game.