Courtesy: Kendrick Perkins
Kendrick Perkins is stepping into a new role, and he is not walking away from his day job to do it. The former NBA center and current ESPN analyst has agreed to become the men’s basketball general manager at Jackson State, an HBCU in Jackson, Mississippi. He will keep his seat at ESPN while taking on both positions.
Perkins worked alongside new Jackson State head coach Trey Johnson and athletic director Ashley Robinson to reach the agreement. Beyond his work with the basketball program, he will also hold a connection to the school’s broadcast and journalism program. For Perkins, the role is a chance to give back to a community that matters to him.
Perkins steps into a program with a climb ahead
Jackson State went 12-21 last season. The Tigers last played in the NCAA tournament in 2007. That was also the year Johnson played on the team as a student. A shared history between the two men now forms part of the foundation for their working relationship.
Perkins spent 14 seasons in the NBA as a center. He won the 2007-08 championship with the Boston Celtics and has been an ESPN analyst since 2019. Now 41, he sees the Jackson State role as more than just another position. It is a way to use his experience in a setting where it can have real impact.
Perkins joins a growing list of NBA names in college front offices
The move adds Perkins to a list that has grown steadily in recent years. Former and current NBA players have been taking on administrative roles at college programs across the country. Shaquille O’Neal holds a position at Sacramento State. Stephen Curry is connected to Davidson, his alma mater. John Wall joined Howard in a similar role. Damian Lillard works with Weber State. Additionally, Trae Young has a connection to Oklahoma.
Each of those moves came with a personal tie to the school involved. Perkins and his connection to Jackson State fit that same pattern. For many of these players, the college role is a way to stay close to the game. It is also a chance to invest in programs that shaped their communities.
What the Perkins arrival could mean for Jackson State
Jackson State already has a recent history of drawing national attention. Coach Deion Sanders brought the program into the spotlight before leaving for Colorado. Since then, the school has continued to attract interest from high-profile names in the sport.
Perkins adds championship-level experience to a staff that is working to rebuild. His connection to the broadcast program also points to a wider goal at the school. Jackson State is still working to return to the NCAA tournament. A figure with Perkins’ profile and commitment could be a meaningful piece of what Johnson and Robinson are building.
SOURCE: BasketNews.com
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