A Strategic Appointment for Jackson State
Kendrick Perkins, a 14‑year NBA veteran and 2008 champion with the Boston Celtics, has been named the men’s basketball general manager at Jackson State. The university announced the hire on Thursday, positioning the former Celtics forward to blend his playing experience with a new front‑office role.
Perkins will remain on ESPN’s NBA analyst team, where he has been a regular voice since 2019, while also overseeing Jackson State’s broadcast and journalism initiatives. In a statement, he said the opportunity lets him “impact young lives and contribute to my community,” underscoring the program’s community‑focused mission.
The Tigers finished 12‑21 last season and have not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2007. Athletic director Dr. Michael J. Smith said Perkins’s appointment is part of a broader strategy to “elevate the program’s competitiveness and restore its national relevance.”
A Growing Trend Among NBA Alumni
Perkins joins a small but growing list of former NBA stars transitioning into administrative and support capacities at the collegiate level. Notable examples include Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen Curry, John Wall and Damian Lillard, who have each taken on mentorship, advisory or operational roles at various schools.
The move reflects a broader shift where former professionals are leveraging their networks and credibility to help develop next‑generation talent, while also maintaining high‑profile media presences that keep them connected to the sport’s evolving narrative.