Kendrick Perkins (born November 10, 1984 in Nederland, Texas) is a professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the NBA. He graduated from Clifton J. Ozen High School in Beaumont, Texas in 2003. During his high school career, Perkins led Ozen High to four consecutive district championships and one state championship. Because of his large frame, he was often referred to as "Baby Shaq" by fans and the press. In 2003, Perkins was selected to the prestigious McDonald's All-American game for high-school players.
The 6'10" center/power forward was drafted in the first round with the 27th pick of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies, but was immediately traded along with Marcus Banks to the Celtics in exchange for Troy Bell and Dahntay Jones, who had been selected by the Celtics in the same draft.
During the 2004-2005 season, Perkins received more playing time than he did his rookie season, and became known as one of the tougher players on the Celtics. He had a limited role during the regular season and playoffs as the team's "enforcer".
After marked improvements during summer training and practice, Perkins has received more playing time from Coach Doc Rivers during the 2005-06 season. He has played some of the best games of his career in 2006, repeatedly reaching double figures in points and rebounds. After the trade of Mark Blount to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Perkins is by default the Celtics' starting center, although he was already starting before Blount's departure.
Due to the trade of Ricky Davis, a vocal fan cheering section known as "Ricky's Get Buckets Brigade" recently changed their name to the "Perkolators", and will be cheering on Perkins in Celtics home games .
