NBA Legend Steps Up After Young Player Gets Body Slammed at Youth Tournament

Liberty Check

• Former NBA champion Kendrick Perkins defended a young player in his care after an opposing player allegedly body slammed the teen at an AAU tournament
• Perkins emphasized parental responsibility and protecting children entrusted to his organization’s care
• The incident highlights the growing problem of unsportsmanlike conduct and violence in youth athletics

Former NBA center and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins found himself at the center of a heated confrontation at his son’s AAU basketball game in Norman, Oklahoma, after an opposing player allegedly body slammed one of his team’s players.

Video footage shows the 6-foot-10 former Boston Celtics champion being restrained by coaches as he confronted individuals following the incident. The altercation occurred after a game between Perkins’ YPG Perkins team and the Swaveway Playaz.

According to Perkins, the confrontation began when a 7-foot, 400-pound player from the opposing team body slammed one of his players after the game had concluded. The situation escalated when Perkins attempted to separate the teams and protect his players.

“We’re in a tournament; it’s a heated game. 17U, they’re going back and forth or whatever,” Perkins explained during an appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show.”

“We end up winning the game, all right cool. The other team, they had this guy who’s like 7-foot, 400 pounds. After the game, he comes and he body slams one of my kids who plays for my team.”

Perkins emphasized his responsibility to the parents who entrust their children to his organization. The player who was allegedly body slammed had parents who were not present at the game, making Perkins feel an even greater obligation to ensure the young athlete’s safety.

“The kid that got slammed to the ground, his parents weren’t at the game. So, his parents trusted me with their child,” Perkins said.

“So, I gotta protect that child as if he’s mine. I’m going to stand up for him, even though I didn’t go over there with bad intentions, I gotta make sure that kid is OK and he makes it back home to his parents.”

The situation reportedly intensified when Perkins attempted to de-escalate by asking the opposing coach to control his players. Instead of cooperation, the other coach allegedly responded aggressively, refusing to intervene.

After video of the incident went viral, Perkins stood by his actions on social media, making it clear he would protect the young athletes in his program.

“Damn right, and it probably won’t be the last time! I’m going to protect every single kid in my organization like they’re my own,” Perkins wrote on X.

The Texas native played 14 seasons in the NBA, winning a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2008. He spent eight seasons in Boston before being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder during the 2010-11 season. Perkins also played for the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans before retiring and transitioning to his role as an ESPN analyst.

The incident raises important questions about safety and sportsmanship in youth athletics, where adults are expected to model appropriate behavior and protect young participants from violence and aggression.

Our children deserve safe environments to compete and grow.