The Education of Kendrick Perkins by Kendrick Perkins

In addition to excelling in the classroom, he would prove to be an exceptional basketball player. He was a student who viewed his education as a serious business. Young Kendrick had to walk around with shoes that had holes in the toe area, pants that were too short for his long legs, and sleeves too short for his long arms.ĭespite living in poverty, Kendrick stayed focused.

They raised chickens and ducks at their house, and each day chicken, duck, or fish that they caught found their way to the dinner plate. They lived in a yellow house that was hot and cramped in the inside. His grandfather was a janitor, and his grandmother cleaned houses for $40 a week. Kendrick was adopted by his grandparents, and he experienced a life of humble beginnings. Tragedy struck three years later when Kendrick’s mother Ercell Minix life was cut short due to gun violence. He signed on to play pro ball in New Zealand but removed himself from his son’s life when Kendrick was two years old. His father was a well-known basketball star at Lamar University, but he didn’t make it to the NBA. Kendrick “Perk” Perkins’s journey to glory got off to a rough start in Beaumont.

For example, the book he read in high school about a young man named Bigger Thomas enlightened him on how he must be able to overcome self-destructive anger and violence. In his memoir, Perkins mentions the life lessons he learned from observing others, but he also speaks on the knowledge he absorbed from reading. During the beginning and throughout his NBA career, Kareem was and still is an advocate for civil rights and social justice.

Prior to converting to Islam and changing his name, Kareem went by his birth name of Lew Alcindor. In addition to Russell, Perkins also touched on the journey of another NBA all-time great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He speaks about Boston Celtics great Bill Russell playing on a team that was a dynasty, but Russell still had to experience segregation regulations. He also highlights some of the historical obstacles the players he admired had to overcome. In his memoir, Perkins talks about his personal challenges as he traveled down his path to success. Twenty years ago, a kid from Beaumont, Texas, achieved his dream, and he shares his story in his memoir, “The Education of Kendrick Perkins.”Īs a veteran of fourteen seasons, and the starting center for the 2008 NBA World Champion Boston Celtics, Kendrick Perkins gives us a unique view of his basketball journey. Teenage males across the country share the common dream of becoming rich and famous NBA stars, but unfortunately, only a small fraternity of young men will attain that ultimate goal.

The Education of Kendrick Perkins by Kendrick Perkins