Black Athletes in the Spotlight: HBCU Sports & Local Highlights
- Kendrick Perkins entered the NBA out of high school in 2003, starting center on the 2008 title team; averaged 7 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block.
- Played in the NBA for Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans, and Cleveland Cavaliers.
- Since retiring in 2018, he has been a lead NBA analyst on ESPN, appearing across network programming.
Jackson State‘s men’s basketball program will have an NBA champion and ESPN analyst to turn to for advice this coming season.
14-year NBA veteran center and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins will serve as the Tigers’ general manager, according to a report by Shams Charania.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and pour back into my community,” Perkins told Charania. He will also have a connection with JSU’s broadcast and journalism program.
ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins – 14-year NBA veteran and 2008 champion – has agreed to become the men’s basketball General Manager of HBCU Jackson State, as well as a connection to its broadcast and journalism program, per Perkins: “I’m thankful for this opportunity to impact… pic.twitter.com/lTHV4tSn3a
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 19, 2026
Perkins, a native of Nederland, Texas, went straight from high school to the NBA with the Boston Celtics in 2003 and was the starting center on the Celts’ 2008 NBA title team, averaging 7 points, 6 rebounds and one blocked short per game while shooting 59% from the field in the playoffs.
Perkins also played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, New Orleans Pelicans and Cleveland Cavaliers.
Since his 2018 retirement, Perkins is one of ESPN’s lead NBA analysts, appearing on all ESPN programming.
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