Kendrick Perkins, a former NBA champion and longtime ESPN analyst, has taken on a historic role at Jackson State University, becoming the school’s first ever men’s basketball general manager.
In this capacity Perkins will leverage his extensive network of professional contacts to open doors for current Tigers players, while also raising the program’s national profile. He will work side‑by‑side with head coach Trey Johnson and athletic director Ashley Robinson to reshape a team that finished the 2025‑26 campaign with a 12‑21 record.
A Strategic Blend of Media and Basketball
Perkins will continue his duties as an NBA studio analyst at ESPN, a dual commitment that reflects a growing trend of former players transitioning into college front‑office positions. The move follows Johnson’s promotion to head coach in April after Mo Williams stepped down, and it underscores the university’s ambition to rebuild the program from the ground up.
The former Celtics big man brings 14 seasons of NBA experience and a 2008 championship ring to Jackson State. He joined ESPN in October 2019 and has since become a familiar voice on the network’s basketball coverage. His new responsibilities will include scouting, player development initiatives and strategic partnerships that could attract recruits and sponsors.
Perkins is not alone in this shift; other recent alumni such as Steph Curry, John Wall, Damian Lillard, Shaquille O'Neal, Trae Young, Terance Mann and Pat Garrity have assumed advisory or general manager roles at various institutions. Their involvement signals a broader movement that blends playing experience with administrative leadership in college basketball.
The appointment comes as Jackson State seeks to reverse a challenging season and re‑establish itself as a competitive force in the SWAC. By tapping Perkins’s media savvy and championship pedigree, the university hopes to attract top talent and secure resources that will accelerate its resurgence.