Kendrick Perkins, a 14-year NBA veteran and 2008 champion, has agreed to become the men’s basketball general manager at Jackson State while continuing his ESPN duties, signaling a blend of front-office leadership and media engagement.

Perkins will work with Jackson State’s leadership, including head coach Trey Johnson and athletic director Ashley Robinson, as part of a unified program leadership team.

The hire is paired with Perkins’s ties to the university’s broadcast and journalism programs, expanding his role beyond traditional GM duties.

The move is framed as a strategic effort to boost recruiting momentum and raise Jackson State’s profile, leveraging Perkins’s sports expertise and media visibility.

Officials had not made the appointment official at the time of the report, with the formal announcement still pending.

The role is described as voluntary but carries fundraising duties and leadership of the program’s name, image, and likeness initiatives to increase exposure and resources.

Reporting will be updated as more information becomes available.

Jackson State’s men’s basketball team finished last season 12-21 and has not appeared in the NCAA Tournament since 2007, highlighting the program’s need for a transformative push.

Athletics director Ashley Robinson has emphasized bold, transformative moves to elevate the program and demonstrate that HBCUs can compete for national prominence.

Perkins will join new head coach Trey Johnson and the leadership team, with Johnson’s leadership having helped develop a core of young talent including 2026 SWAC Player of the Year Daeshun Ruffin.

Perkins’s involvement is expected to enhance player development, recruiting conversations, and athlete branding by leveraging his ESPN presence and NBA experience to boost visibility for Jackson State.

The announcement was publicly shared via Shams Charania’s post on X on June 19, 2026, confirming Perkins’s new role.