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July 26, 2026Sources cited
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Kendrick Perkins

Kendrick Perkins is an American former professional basketball player and current media analyst.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kendrick Perkins is an American former professional basketball player and current media analyst. He played 14 seasons in the NBA as a centre, won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008, and later became a basketball commentator for ESPN.

Early life and high school career

Perkins was born in Nederland, Texas, and attended Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas. He was a highly regarded prep player and entered the NBA directly from high school.

NBA career

Perkins was drafted in 2003 by the Memphis Grizzlies and was immediately traded to the Boston Celtics. He later played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans, appearing in 782 regular-season games over 14 seasons.

Championship and playing style

Perkins won his only NBA title with Boston in 2008. He was known primarily as a defensive, physical centre and as a role player rather than a high-scoring option.

Broadcasting career

After his playing career, Perkins moved into sports media. He became an on-air analyst and commentator, including work for ESPN.

Key facts

  • Played in the NBA from 2003 to 2018, with a brief final return in 2017–18.
  • Best known for his time with the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder.
  • Won the 2008 NBA championship with the Celtics.
  • Career NBA averages were 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game.
  • Played for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
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Canadian context

Perkins has been a visible NBA media figure in Canada through North American sports coverage, including Canadian reporting on the Celtics, Thunder, and ESPN basketball programming.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kendrick Perkins?
Kendrick Perkins is a former American NBA centre and current basketball analyst. He played 14 seasons in the league and won one championship with the Boston Celtics.
What teams did Kendrick Perkins play for?
He played for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and New Orleans Pelicans.
Did Kendrick Perkins win an NBA championship?
Yes. He won the NBA title with the Boston Celtics in 2008.
What were Kendrick Perkins’ career averages?
He averaged 5.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game in the NBA.
What does Kendrick Perkins do now?
He works as a basketball analyst and commentator, including appearances on ESPN programs.

References

  1. NBA.com — https://www.nba.com/player/2570/kendrick-perkins
    Supports: Birthdate, height, weight, position, draft, nationality, career averages, experience.
  2. Basketball-Reference — https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/perkike01.html
    Supports: Career averages, teams, nicknames, high school, championship information.
  3. Land of Basketball — https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players/kendrick_perkins.htm
    Supports: Position, draft details, NBA seasons, teams, championship.
  4. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/_/id/2018/kendrick-perkins
    Supports: Career team list and player profile details.
  5. ESPN Press Room — https://espnpressroom.com/us/bios/kendrick-perkins/
    Supports: Post-playing career as an ESPN analyst and retirement context.