Former NBA champion and ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins had to be restrained during a heated altercation at his son’s AAU basketball game this past weekend.
Video of the incident, which circulated widely on social media Tuesday, shows Perkins, coaching his YPG Perkins team, shouting at staff from the opposing Swaveway Playaz squad before lunging toward them near the end of the game at the Trae Young Family Athletic Center. Several men from the other team stepped in front of Perkins and pushed him back as the situation escalated. Off-duty Norman Police Department officers working security at the event helped de-escalate the confrontation. Police said no criminal charges were filed.
The game between the two youth teams was described as chippy. A non-basketball play involving one of Perkins’ players reportedly triggered his reaction.
A representative for Perkins, Kennard McGuire, said the former Celtics and Thunder center was defending his players.
“Kendrick is very passionate about everything, especially when it involves his kids,” McGuire said. “We’re not going to waste water on an imaginary fire.”
Perkins, whose son Kenxton is a standout in the Class of 2030, addressed the video on X on Wednesday morning after TMZ Sports posted footage of the exchange.
“Damn right and it probably won’t be the last time!” Perkins wrote in reply. “I’m going to protect every single kid in my organization like they’re my own.”
Perkins has coached youth basketball for several years and has previously been ejected from an AAU game in 2023, an incident he later discussed publicly.
The latest episode comes as Perkins continues his role as a prominent NBA analyst while remaining active in grassroots basketball through his organization.
