Jackson State University announced this week that ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins will step into the role of men’s basketball general manager, a move that blends his NBA pedigree with a new front‑office responsibility.
Perkins, who spent 14 seasons in the NBA before becoming a familiar face on ESPN’s “First Take” and “NBA Today,” will continue his broadcasting duties while overseeing the Tigers’ roster construction and recruiting efforts.
A strategic hire for Jackson State basketball
The general manager position in college basketball typically centers on assembling competitive lineups, managing scholarship allocations and cultivating relationships with high‑school prospects, tasks that often benefit from the credibility of a former professional star.
Headlining alumni such as Stephen Curry at Davidson College and Damian Lillard at Weber State have demonstrated how a recognizable name can attract recruits, a strategy Jackson State hopes to replicate with Perkins on board.
Despite the added duties, Perkins has assured fans that his ESPN commitments will remain intact, allowing the network’s audience to keep seeing him on “First Take” while he shapes the Tigers’ future.
The Tigers finished the 2025‑26 season with a 12‑21 record, dropping four of their first six games to ranked opponents, including an 80‑38 loss to No. 7 Houston, underscoring the need for a strategic overhaul.