SACRAMENTO, Calif. – “Santa Cuz” took his time checking out presents, autographing purple T-shirts, taking selfies and having heartfelt conversations among the 100 underprivileged children from the Sacramento area whom he had treated to a Christmas shopping spree. Considering he used to be one of those children from lower-income families, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins was moved by every child’s show of appreciation.

View photos DeMarcus Cousins at his 'Santa Cuz Shopping Spree.' (Courtesy of the Sacramento Kings) More

“It’s the greatest feeling ever,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “To me, that’s the real world. There is none of the basketball here. That’s a fantasy world. Putting a smile on kids, putting a smile on families’ faces, changing people’s lives with your so-called status and celebrity with your so-called impact, that’s reality.”

Cousins was born in the blue-collar city of Mobile, Ala., on Aug. 13, 1990. Cousins’ mother, Monique Cousins, was a single mom who raised two boys and four girls. She also was a practical nurse who would often be creative with her work schedule in hopes of accommodating the daily needs of her children.

DeMarcus Cousins said that while his mom did her best to make ends meet, the family still struggled financially. He felt lucky if he got one of the presents on his Christmas wish list, but he was always grateful for whatever he received.

“My memories of Christmas, it was more about being around family,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “We weren’t the most fortunate family growing up. My mom did what she could and I was grateful for whatever it was. … At Christmas you were hoping for this and that. At the same time, as a kid I knew what our situation was. I understood.

“You’d go back to school and your friends would say, ‘What you get for Christmas?’ You got to make up a lie. ‘I got this, this and this.’ It’s all part of growing up and everyone has a different story. It made me who I am today. I know what it’s like.”

Four years ago, Cousins developed the “Santa Cuz” holiday persona in an effort to help the community. The 6-foot-11, 270-pounder actually dressed up like Santa Claus the first two years, but this time he wore a Kings purple Santa hat during the $20,000 shopping spree at Arden Fair Mall on Dec. 14. The 2015 All-Star gave each of the children – who ranged from elementary school age to high school – $200 gift certificates to buy Christmas presents. Most appeared to use the gift cards for presents not only for themselves but for their family members as well.

“Christmas is a financial strain on most families. I am going to do my part,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports.

One boy who reminded Cousins of himself made a particularly strong impression.

“He had six brothers and sisters,” Cousins told Yahoo Sports. “[His mother] raised them all on her own. He said, ‘I got my mom a bracelet to show my appreciation for her for raising the kids.’ That was the same thing for me. My mom raised six kids on her own. The first thing I got my mom when I got some money was a house.

“It kind of touched me and hit home for me. He just asked me, ‘How do I get through this adversity and every day life?’ I told him, ‘Praying and keeping faith, and with that you can go as far as you can go.’ “

View photos Cousins interacts with one of his shopping spree guests. (Courtesy of the Sacramento Kings) More

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