Sports

ESPN Analyst Kendrick Perkins Defends Meltdown At Son’s Youth Basketball Game In Oklahoma

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iStockphoto / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports


Kendrick Perkins was caught on video in a shouting match during his son’s AAU game in Oklahoma over the weekend. He took to social media to defend his actions after seeing the moment go viral.

The ESPN analyst would do it again if the situation presented itself. He will not apologize for defending his players.

Right or wrong, the outburst has sparked a firestorm of reaction online.

Kendrick Perkins screamed at opposing coaches.

The former NBA star turned television personality is coaching youth basketball. His YPG Perkins squad recently took on the Swaveway Playaz in U17 action at the Trae Young Family Athletic Center in Norman.

Near the end of that contest, the ugly scene unfolded. Perkins was seen shouting at the opposing team while being restrained by his staff.

What sparked the confrontation is unclear. Witnesses say the game was chippy throughout.

No criminal charges were filed from the incident. Cooler heads eventually prevailed.

Perk defended his actions.

“(That’s) right and it probably won’t be the last time!” he wrote in a response on social media. “I’m going to protect every single kid in my organization like they’re my own.”

His rep, Kennard McGuire, echoed that sentiment.

“Kendrick is very passionate about everything, especially when it involves his kids,” McGuire told TMZ. “We’re not going to waste water on an imaginary fire.”

There’s been nothing made public about potential impacts on his job at ESPN. It was simply an emotional response during a heated contest involving a family member.

Perkins’ son, Kenxton, is a top prospect in the 2030 recruiting class.

While Kendrick Perkins and his rep brushed off the interaction, there were some that viewed it negatively.

“I give you ESPN’s lead basketball analyst… beyond time for ESPN to make a change,” one social media user wrote.

“Way to set an example,” said another.

Perkins, meanwhile, says this probably won’t be his last time making headlines while coaching the AAU team. If his players need a voice, he’ll gladly provide it.