Kendrick Perkins is headed to Jackson State, and it’s not just a figurehead gig. The former NBA center will serve as the program’s general manager while also working as a liaison for the university’s broadcast and journalism department, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
It’s an interesting dual role for Perkins, who currently works as an NBA analyst on ESPN. The guy spent 14 seasons in the league and won a title with the Boston Celtics in 2008. He knows the game. But the journalism angle? That’s the part that makes this different from the wave of ex-players getting front office titles at colleges these days.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity to impact young lives and give back to my community,” Perkins told ESPN.
Perkins was the No. 27 pick in the 2003 NBA Draft. His last NBA action came in 2017-18 when he played one game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Over his career he averaged 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor. He was never a star but he was one of the best post defenders in the league during his prime, which is why the Celtics brought him along for that title run.
What this means for Jackson State
The Tigers went 12-21 last season and 10-8 in SWAC play. They just hired Trey Johnson as the permanent head coach after Mo Williams left for an assistant job at Kentucky. So Perkins isn’t walking into a program that’s already rolling. He’s coming in to help build something.
His role as GM means he’ll likely be involved in roster construction, talent evaluation and maybe even NIL strategy, which is where a lot of these former NBA guys actually add value. They’ve been through the league. They know agents. They know what young players need to hear.
And the broadcast and journalism piece? Perkins has been on TV for years now. Fans give him grief for some of his hot takes, but he’s carved out a real career in media. That connection could open doors for Jackson State students who want to get into sports broadcasting or journalism. It’s not just a name on a press release — the guy actually does this for a living.
Jackson State is an HBCU, and programs like this have been making more noise lately. Deion Sanders put the football program on the map before he left for Colorado. Now the basketball side is trying to find its own momentum. Perkins might not be a star on the court anymore, but he’s got enough credibility and connections to actually make a difference.
The Tigers open their season in November. Nobody’s expecting a title run. But they just got a little more interesting.
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