Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick "Big Perk" Perkins

Athlete

Born: November 10, 1984

Birthplace: Nederland, Texas

Profession: Former Professional Basketball Player (NBA Center), Sports Analyst, Television Broadcaster, Media Personality

NBA Career: 14 Seasons (2003–2018)

Position: Center · 2008 NBA Champion

Social:

Biography

Kendrick Perkins grew up without a conventional safety net. Born in Nederland, Texas, he lost his mother at age five and was raised by his grandparents on a farm outside Beaumont while his father played professional basketball in New Zealand, largely absent from his son’s life. It was his grandfather’s love of sport — and the quiet discipline of farm life — that lit the competitive fire in the young Perkins. He channeled that energy into basketball at Clifton J. Ozen High School, where he grew into one of the most dominant big men in Texas prep history.

At Ozen, Perkins was a force of nature — averaging 27.5 points, 16.4 rebounds, and 7.8 blocks per game as a senior, leading the team to a 33–1 record, four consecutive district championships, and a state title. Rivals.com ranked him the No. 3 center and No. 6 overall prospect in the class of 2003. He earned McDonald’s All-American and First-team Parade All-American honors, and was named Texas Mr. Basketball. When the time came, he bypassed his college commitment and declared for the NBA Draft directly out of high school.

THE MAKING OF “BIG PERK”

Selected 27th overall by the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2003 NBA Draft, Perkins was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics — the franchise that would define his identity. His early seasons were a physical education: listed at 270 pounds but reportedly closer to 300 upon arrival, he spent his first year simply getting into professional shape. Over time, Perkins transformed himself into the Celtics’ defensive cornerstone — a menacing, physical presence who set brutal screens, commanded the paint, and made opponents think twice about driving the lane.

The payoff came in 2008, when Perkins started at center as the Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in six games to claim the NBA Championship. It was the crowning achievement of his playing career and a validation of every hard mile from the Texas farm to the Boston Garden.

Known as one of the NBA’s most intimidating enforcers and one of its most compassionate teammates — a rare combination that earned him deep, lasting respect across the league.

THUNDER COUNTRY & THE TWILIGHT YEARS

In February 2011, Perkins was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder, joining a rising dynasty alongside Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. He signed a four-year, $35 million extension, cementing his role as the Thunder’s anchor in the middle during their best seasons. His career wound down with brief stints for the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans before he officially retired in 2018 after 14 seasons — a career spanning 783 regular-season games, 4,214 points, 4,532 rebounds, and 903 blocked shots.

LIFE AFTER BASKETBALL

Retirement from the court did nothing to diminish Perkins’ presence. He transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, becoming one of ESPN’s most recognizable and outspoken NBA voices. His combination of insider relationships, emotional intelligence, and unfiltered candor made him a natural in front of the camera. He now appears regularly on First Take, NBA Countdown, NBA Today, Get Up, and Hoop Streams — using the same big personality that commanded locker rooms to command television audiences.

Playlist

2 Videos

6:17

2:15

Athlete

Photos