Kendrick Perkins gets intriguing basketball and academic role at Jackson State

In recent years, with the explosion of the transfer portal and the introduction of NIL into college athletics, many programs are bringing in former NBA players to help out in official roles as team general managers. Among the recent to be named in official capacity with a college team is Kendrick Perkins who will be joining the Jackson State Tigers, an HBCU, as per Shams Charania of ESPN.

Kendrick Perkins will have a dual role with Jackson State, serving as the program’s general manager, while serving as a liaison for the school’s broadcast and journalism program. It gives the former NBA champion a chance to give back.

“I’m thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and give back to my community,” Perkins said via ESPN.

Perkins is currently an NBA analyst on ESPN, hence his new connection to Jackson State’s journalism program. He joined the broadcast team after his retirement. The former No. 27 overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, Perkins final season in the NBA was in 2017-18 when he suited up in only one game for the Cleveland Cavaliers.

His career spanned 14 seasons and included stints with the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans in addition to the Cavaliers. He holds career averages of 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 1.2 blocked shots while shooting 50 percent from the field.

Although fans give Perkins a lot of slack for his takes on ESPN, he was considered one of the best post defensive players in the NBA during his prime, and he played a key role on the Celtics’ 2008 title team. He joins a Jackson State program that finished last season at 12-21, and 10-8 in SWAC play.

The Tigers officially hired interim head coach Trey Johnson as the permanent head coach following the departure of Mo Williams to Kentucky.

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