Former Sacramento Kings player, DeMarcus Cousins extended a helping hand to the family of Stephon Clark, who was shot and killed by police.
The Sacramento Bee, reports that Cousins wants to help cover the cost of Clark's funeral. Clark was shot 20 times by police officers in his backyard on Sunday. Clark was unarmed. His death is the latest killing of an unarmed black man, and has sparked a nationwide outcry for justice.
On Monday, his family set up a GoFundMe campaign to help offset the cost of funeral related expenses. The fundraising campaign has exceeded its goal by raising more than $60,000.
Cousins has a long history of activism work in the Sacramento area. In 2015, he paid for the funeral of Jaulon Clavo, a Grant High School foot player who was shot right before a playoff game. He hosted free basketball camps in the city and bought a new scoreboard for a Sacramento High School. Cousins also mentors inner-city students.
In his hometown, Mobile, Alabama, Cousins has frequently participated in forums with police officers. His goal is to understand the issue of police brutality from all sides.
Last October, The NBA recognized Cousins' activism by awarding him with the inaugural Offseason NBA Cares Community Assist Award. Cousins was traded to New Orleans last February, but said Sacramento would always be home.
On Thursday, demonstrators sought to bring attention to the injustice of Clark's death by peacefully protesting at a Kings game against the Atlanta Hawks. The stadium denied people entrance into the arena for safety concerns, and the game started about 20 minutes late.
Clark was a stay-at-home dad, and his death leaves behind 3-year-old Aiden and 1-year-old Cairo.