Kendrick Perkins Involved in Altercation at AAU Game

Former NBA player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins recently found himself at the center of a heated situation during an AAU basketball game in Norman, Oklahoma, where he was coaching his son’s team, YPG Perkins.

Known for his outspoken nature on sports shows, Perkins was captured on video during the game appearing to yell at an unseen opponent. The match against Swaveway Praas became particularly tense, especially after a foul that seemed to put his team—a group of 17U players—at a disadvantage.

As the video circulated online, Perkins reacted on social media, saying, “Yeah, maybe this isn’t the last time! I will protect all the children in the organization as if they were my own.” He later addressed the altercation on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” explaining his actions as an effort to safeguard his players.

Perkins described a moment where a player from the opposing team, notably larger than his own, body-slammed one of his players. While he initially remained seated, the escalating situation prompted him to stand up. “As a responsible owner of the organization, I had to intervene and tell the players to calm down,” he elaborated.

He added that the kid who got slammed didn’t have his parents at the game, stating that it was his duty to look out for him and ensure he got back to his family safely. “He’s a young guy, and I have to make sure he’s okay,” Perkins said.

Before delving into the AAU game incident, it’s worth noting that Perkins had a commendable 14-year NBA career, eventually winning a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. He played most of his career in Boston, contributing an average of 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

After being traded from the Celtics to the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2010-11 season, Perkins also had stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans before retiring from professional basketball.