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Sam Perkins
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Samuel Bruce Perkins (born June 14, 1961)[1] is an American former professional basketball player and executive. Perkins was a three-time college All-American, was a member of the 1982 national champion North Carolina Tar Heels, and won a gold medal with the 1984 United States men's Olympic basketball team. Perkins played professionally in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 17 seasons.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Born in Brooklyn, New York,[1] Perkins attended Samuel J. Tilden High School.[2] He later attended and graduated from Shaker High School in Latham, New York.[2][3] He was named large-school player of the year (high school) by the New York State Sportswriters Association in 1980 and was also named to the 35 Greatest Boys McDonald's All Americans team.[citation needed]

College career

[edit]

Perkins attended college at the University of North Carolina and played basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 1980 to 1984.[4] He was named ACC Rookie of the Year in 1981[5] and starred alongside future NBA Hall of Famers James Worthy and Michael Jordan on the Tar Heels' 1982 NCAA championship team.[5][6] A three-time All-American,[5] Perkins was the 1984 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year.[4] Perkins finished his collegiate basketball career as the Tar Heels' all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots and as the second-highest scorer in team history.[5] He graduated from UNC in 1984.[7] Perkins was a co-captain of the gold medal-winning 1984 United States men's Olympic basketball team.[8] He was named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference three times in his Tar Heel career.[9]

Professional career

[edit]

Chosen by the Dallas Mavericks as the fourth overall pick in the 1984 NBA draft,[4] Perkins went on to play as a power forward and center in the NBA from 1984 to 2001.[10] He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team in 1985.[11] Perkins played for the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Indiana Pacers.[12] He scored a career-high 45 points on April 12, 1990.[13] Perkins tied an NBA record on January 15, 1997, by making eight three-pointers without a miss.[14] He appeared in three NBA Finals: The 1991 NBA Finals (with the Lakers),[15] the 1996 NBA Finals (with the SuperSonics),[15] and the 2000 NBA Finals (with the Pacers).[16] All 3 Finals were coincidentally lost against the same head coach in Phil Jackson. In game one of the 1991 NBA Finals, Perkins made a game-winning three-point shot to defeat the Chicago Bulls.[1] He was known by the nicknames "Sleepy Sam", "Big Smooth",[17][10] and "The Big Easy".[1]

Post-retirement activities

[edit]

In 2002, Perkins was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team as one of the fifty greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference history.[18]

In 2008, Perkins was named vice president of player relations for the Indiana Pacers.[19] That September, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame.[20] Perkins held his position with the Pacers until 2010.[21]

In 2011, Perkins traveled to South Sudan as a SportsUnited Sports Envoy for the U.S. Department of State. In this capacity, he worked with Dikembe Mutombo to lead a series of basketball clinics and team-building exercises with 50 youth and 36 coaches. This helped contribute to the State Department's mission to remove barriers and create a world in which individuals with disabilities enjoy dignity and full inclusion in society.[22]

Perkins was named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.[5]

Perkins at his camp in 2019

Perkins runs a summer camp for Chapel Hill, North Carolina youth that focuses on developing the basic skills of basketball.[23]

Personal life

[edit]

Perkins was raised a Jehovah's Witness. During his professional career, he stood away from his line of teammates for the national anthem due to his faith.[24]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1984–85 Dallas 82 42 28.3 .471 .250 .820 7.4 1.6 .8 .8 11.0
1985–86 Dallas 80 79 32.8 .503 .333 .814 8.6 1.9 .9 1.2 15.4
1986–87 Dallas 80 80 33.6 .482 .352 .828 7.7 1.8 1.4 1.0 14.8
1987–88 Dallas 75 75 33.3 .450 .167 .822 8.0 1.6 1.0 .7 14.2
1988–89 Dallas 78 77 36.7 .464 .184 .833 8.8 1.6 1.0 1.2 15.0
1989–90 Dallas 76 70 35.1 .493 .214 .778 7.5 2.3 1.2 .8 15.9
1990–91 L.A. Lakers 76 66 34.3 .495 .281 .821 7.4 1.5 .9 1.1 13.5
1991–92 L.A. Lakers 63 63 37.0 .450 .217 .817 8.8 2.2 1.0 1.0 16.5
1992–93 L.A. Lakers 49 49 32.4 .459 .172 .829 7.7 2.6 .8 1.0 13.7
Seattle 30 13 25.4 .511 .452 .795 4.8 .9 .7 1.0 12.1
1993–94 Seattle 81 41 26.8 .438 .367 .801 4.5 1.4 .8 4 12.3
1994–95 Seattle 82* 37 28.7 .466 .397 .799 4.9 1.6 .9 .5 12.7
1995–96 Seattle 82 20 26.5 .408 .355 .793 4.5 1.5 1.0 .6 11.8
1996–97 Seattle 81 4 24.4 .439 .395 .817 3.7 1.3 .9 .6 11.0
1997–98 Seattle 81 0 20.7 .416 .392 .789 3.1 1.4 .8 .4 7.2
1998–99 Indiana 48 0 16.4 .400 .389 .717 2.9 .5 .3 .3 5.0
1999–00 Indiana 81 0 20.0 .417 .408 .825 3.6 .8 .4 .4 6.6
2000–01 Indiana 64 41 15.6 .381 .345 .842 2.6 .6 .5 .3 3.8
Career 1,286 757 28.5 .459 .362 .811 6.0 1.5 .9 .7 11.9

Playoffs

[edit]

Perkins has the distinction of having the fourth-most playoff games appeared in without having been on a team that won the NBA Championship. The only players with more playoff appearances and zero rings, as of the 2025 season, are Hall of Fame Utah Jazz teammates Karl Malone and John Stockton and current player James Harden.[25]

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1985 Dallas 4 4 42.3 .490 .250 .765 12.8 2.8 .5 .3 18.8
1986 Dallas 10 10 34.7 .429 .250 .767 8.3 2.4 .9 1.4 14.9
1987 Dallas 4 4 17.0 .500 .000 .696 8.5 1.3 1.0 .3 17.0
1988 Dallas 17 17 33.6 .451 .143 .803 6.6 1.8 1.5 1.0 13.5
1990 Dallas 3 3 39.3 .444 .000 .765 7.3 2.7 1.0 .7 15.0
1991 L.A. Lakers 19 19 39.6 .548 .367 .761 8.3 1.7 .8 1.4 17.7
1993 Seattle 19 17 32.9 .436 .380 .873 7.0 1.9 1.0 1.3 14.4
1994 Seattle 5 0 28.2 .333 .429 .882 7.2 .8 .8 .4 9.8
1995 Seattle 4 1 35.3 .438 .455 1.000 7.8 3.3 .8 1.3 13.5
1996 Seattle 21 1 31.1 .459 .368 .754 4.3 1.7 .7 .3 12.3
1997 Seattle 12 6 28.3 .337 .311 .862 4.4 1.3 1.0 1.0 8.4
1998 Seattle 10 1 21.0 .381 .417 .600 3.2 1.4 .3 .5 5.4
1999 Indiana 13 0 11.2 .514 .458 .667 1.9 .5 .0 .2 4.1
2000 Indiana 23 0 18.1 .324 .348 .905 3.2 .4 .2 .3 4.8
2001 Indiana 3 0 6.3 .250 .250 – 1.3 .0 .0 .0 1.7
Career 167 83 28.7 .444 .363 .785 5.6 1.5 .7 .8 11.1

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Sam Perkins

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Samuel Bruce Perkins (born June 14, 1961) is an American former professional player and executive, best known for his 17-season in the (NBA) as a versatile and , where he amassed over 15,000 points and contributed to multiple playoff runs across four teams. Born in , New York, and raised partly in the Albany area after his family moved following his father's death, Perkins earned a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina, where he became a three-time All-American, led the Tar Heels to the 1982 NCAA Championship, and was named the 1984 USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. Selected fourth overall in the 1984 NBA Draft by the Dallas Mavericks, he earned All-Rookie First Team honors in 1985 and played key roles in elevating the Mavericks to a Western Conference Finals appearance in 1988, while later contributing to the Seattle SuperSonics' 1996 NBA Finals run. After retiring in 2001 with averages of 11.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game over 1,286 appearances, Perkins pursued a law degree from Southern University Law Center, served as Vice President of Player Relations for the Indiana Pacers from 2008 to 2010, and has been a Global Ambassador for the Special Olympics, leveraging his "Big Smooth" nickname and low-key demeanor to promote youth sports and inclusion.

Early Life and Education

Early Life

Samuel Bruce Perkins was born on June 14, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. His father died when Perkins was one year old, after which he was raised by his mother and grandmother in a brownstone in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, alongside his three sisters. Perkins' early exposure to came through playing on courts in Brooklyn's playgrounds, where he honed his skills amid the and drew inspiration from neighborhood legends. Around of 15, Perkins relocated to Latham, New York, to live with social worker and AAU coach Herb Crossman, who became his , providing a safer and more structured environment away from Brooklyn's urban challenges while his family remained in the area. The move brought initial struggles for Perkins, including difficulties with academics, a lack of clear direction, and even getting lost while trying to navigate to his new school on his first day. This period of uncertainty marked a formative challenge before his involvement in organized high school provided a pivotal .

High School Career

Perkins initially attended in for his and years before transferring. He then attended in , beginning in his junior year after the mid-1970s relocation, a move facilitated by Crossman, who became his to provide stability and academic support. At Shaker, an academically rigorous institution, Perkins focused on improving his grades and discipline, maintaining a B average to stay eligible for while developing greater personal responsibility under Crossman's guidance. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches as a forward-center, Perkins quickly emerged as a dominant force on the court during his two seasons at Shaker in the late 1970s. He led the Blue Bison to a strong playoff run, advancing to the New York state semifinals in 1979. Perkins earned significant recognition for his play, being named the New York State Sportswriters Association's large-school player of the year in 1980, highlighting his status as a top prospect in the state. His performances drew national attention, including selection to the Parade All-American First Team and participation in the 1980 McDonald's All-American Game, where he set a record with 24 rebounds.

College Career

Sam Perkins committed to the in 1979 following a standout high school career at in , where he was heavily recruited by multiple programs including UCLA. He enrolled in 1980 and played under legendary coach , becoming a cornerstone of one of the most successful eras in Tar Heels basketball history. Over four seasons from 1980 to 1984, Perkins developed into a versatile forward capable of playing both power forward and center positions, excelling in perimeter shooting, interior scoring, rebounding, and defensive versatility within Smith's structured system. His skill set complemented elite teammates such as , James Worthy, and Brad Daugherty, contributing to UNC's consistent contention for national titles. A pivotal moment in Perkins' college tenure came during the 1981-82 season, when he served as a key starter and contributor to the Tar Heels' NCAA Championship victory. In the national final against Georgetown on March 29, 1982, Perkins started alongside Jordan and Worthy, helping UNC secure a 63-62 win capped by Jordan's iconic game-winning jumper. His role extended beyond scoring, as his defensive presence and rebounding were instrumental in UNC's 32-1 overall record that year, where he averaged 16.0 points and 7.8 rebounds across the five tournament games. Perkins earned three-time All-American honors during his UNC career, receiving consensus second-team recognition in 1982 and first-team selections in 1983 and 1984, reflecting his dominance as one of the nation's top forwards. He was also a three-time first-team All-ACC selection from 1982 to 1984 and claimed ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 1981 along with ACC Tournament MVP that same season. Over his four seasons, Perkins amassed career averages of 15.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game in 132 appearances, ranking third in UNC history for total points (2,145) and second for rebounds (1,167) at the time of his graduation. These achievements underscored his growth into a complete, team-oriented player who prioritized winning over individual stats.

Professional Career

Dallas Mavericks (1984–1990)

Sam Perkins was selected by the with the fourth overall pick in the , a position influenced by his status as a two-time All-American at the . As a rookie in the 1984–85 season, Perkins quickly established himself as a starter, averaging 11.0 points and 7.4 rebounds per game across 82 appearances while shooting 47.1% from the field. His contributions earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie First Team, recognizing him alongside other top newcomers that year. Over his six seasons with from 1984 to 1990, Perkins played a pivotal role in transforming the franchise from an into a consistent Western Conference contender. He helped lead to the in each of his first five years, culminating in a memorable run to the 1988 Western Conference Finals, where the Mavericks pushed the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers to a decisive Game 7. During that postseason series, Perkins averaged 11.4 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, providing versatile forward play that complemented the team's defensive efforts. Perkins' tenure in Dallas saw him average 14.4 points and 8.0 rebounds per game over 471 regular-season outings, showcasing his efficiency as a 6-foot-9 capable of the and protecting the rim. He formed a key partnership in the mid-1980s offense alongside All-Stars and , forming a dynamic frontcourt-backcourt trio that emphasized scoring balance and transition play, with Perkins often serving as the reliable third option in high-stakes matchups.

Los Angeles Lakers (1990–1993)

In August 1990, Sam Perkins signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as an unrestricted free agent to a six-year contract reportedly worth $18 million, leaving the Dallas Mavericks after six seasons there. He joined a contending roster anchored by point guard Magic Johnson and center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who was entering his final NBA season, with the aim of bolstering the frontcourt alongside forward James Worthy. Perkins, known for his versatile forward play and low-key style, was expected to provide consistent scoring and rebounding as a complementary piece in the Lakers' fast-paced system. During the 1990–91 regular season, Perkins quickly adapted to his role as a starting , appearing in 73 games and averaging 13.5 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per while 49.5% from the field. His steady production helped the Lakers secure a 58–24 record and the second seed in the Western . In the , Perkins contributed meaningfully to a deep run, including a game-winning three-pointer in Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls, though the Lakers ultimately fell 4–1 in the series after defeating the Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Phoenix Suns in earlier rounds. Perkins' integration into the Lakers was somewhat constrained by the team's established star-driven , where Johnson orchestrated the offense and veterans like Abdul-Jabbar commanded the , limiting Perkins to a supporting role despite his prior in . His time with the Lakers proved brief, spanning , before he was traded to the Seattle SuperSonics on February 22, 1993, in a multi-player deal that sent center Benoit Benjamin and the draft rights to Doug Christie to Los Angeles in exchange for Perkins.

Seattle SuperSonics (1993–1998)

Sam Perkins joined the via a midseason trade from the on February 22, , in exchange for center and the draft rights to . He quickly became a key starter at alongside and forward , providing and spacing during his six seasons with the from to . Perkins appeared in 437 regular-season games for Seattle, averaging 11.0 points and 4.5 rebounds per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Known for his reliable and solid perimeter defense, Perkins posted a career-high scoring average of 16.5 during the 1991–92 season with the Lakers, a mark he approached in his with , including 12.7 in 1994–95. His efficient, unflashy style earned him the "Big Smooth," reflecting his calm demeanor and smooth jump shot that complemented the Sonics' fast-paced attack. Perkins played a supporting role in Seattle's deep playoff runs, including the where the SuperSonics lost to the in six games. Across the postseason, which featured 21 games, he averaged 12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest, often providing timely scoring in the frontcourt.

Indiana Pacers (1998–2001)

Sam Perkins joined the Indiana Pacers as a on , 1999, signing a two-year, $3.75 million contract midway through the 1998–99 season. His arrival added veteran frontcourt depth to a team anchored by Reggie Miller, helping bolster the rotation during a season that saw the Pacers reach the Eastern Conference Finals. Perkins appeared in 48 games that year, averaging 5.0 points and 2.9 rebounds in 16.4 minutes per game off the bench. In the 1999 playoffs, Perkins contributed in a supporting role during the Pacers' run to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost to the in six games. Over 13 postseason games, he averaged 4.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game. The following season, Perkins became a key reserve as the Pacers advanced to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, defeating the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals before falling to the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 4.8 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.0 three-pointers made per game at 34.8% from beyond the arc across 23 playoff contests, providing spacing and experience in 18.1 minutes per game. As Perkins turned 39 in June 2000, his playing time diminished in his final season during the 2000–01 campaign, where he appeared in 64 games and averaged 3.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Following the Pacers' first-round playoff exit to the , Perkins announced his retirement, ending a 17-year NBA that included 15,324 total points. Throughout his tenure in Indiana, his veteran presence helped guide a roster featuring emerging talents during multiple deep playoff pushes.

NBA Career Statistics and Achievements

Regular Season Statistics

The following table summarizes Sam Perkins' regular season per-game statistics across his 17 NBA seasons, including games played, minutes per game, field goal percentage, three-point percentage, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, assists per game, steals per game, blocks per game, and points per game. Statistics are sourced from official NBA records.
SeasonTeamGMPFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1984-85DAL8228.3.471.250.8207.41.60.80.811.0
1985-86DAL8032.8.503.333.8147.51.81.20.812.3
1986-87DAL8230.0.517.000.8437.71.71.00.714.8
1987-88DAL8231.0.525.000.8517.82.01.00.715.7
1988-89DAL8029.8.508.000.8257.91.81.10.815.7
1989-90DAL8031.3.523.000.8088.91.91.00.817.3
1990-91LAL7334.3.495.281.8337.41.51.10.813.5
1990-91SEA924.3.476.250.8334.21.00.80.48.7
1991-92SEA8232.5.506.333.8447.32.11.20.713.6
1992-93SEA8225.3.506.345.8416.11.70.90.612.5
1993-94SEA8224.0.507.345.8155.31.70.80.510.5
1994-95SEA8223.2.502.345.8284.91.40.80.511.2
1995-96SEA7827.5.502.379.8215.01.60.80.611.7
1996-97SEA8126.5.503.392.8214.21.40.70.511.1
1997-98SEA8120.7.416.392.8473.41.10.50.37.3
1998-99IND4819.5.462.371.8183.11.00.50.36.2
1999-00IND8225.3.479.361.8004.01.20.70.49.5
2000-01IND6416.0.463.345.8152.30.80.40.25.0
Career128628.5.459.362.8116.01.50.90.711.9
Perkins' minutes per game peaked at 34.3 during the 1990-91 with the Lakers before declining to 16.0 in his final 2000-01 with the , reflecting a shift to a bench later in his . totals include 15,324 points, 7,666 rebounds, and 1,975 assists over 1,286 games, with shooting percentages of 45.9% from the field and 36.2% from three-point range.

Playoff Statistics

Sam Perkins appeared in the 16 times over his 17-season , accumulating 167 , which ranks him fourth all-time in postseason appearances without winning a . His role as a versatile forward often emphasized defensive contributions and efficient scoring in high-stakes environments, where he maintained solid production across multiple teams. Perkins' playoff averages were 11.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 0.7 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game, while shooting 44.4% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range, and 78.5% from the free-throw line in 28.7 minutes per game. Compared to his regular-season marks, Perkins demonstrated comparable efficiency in the postseason overall, though he posted higher field-goal percentages in several key series, such as 45.9% during the 1996 playoffs. The following table summarizes Perkins' year-by-year playoff statistics, highlighting his per-game averages for select key metrics (corrected for accuracy based on official records):
SeasonTeamGPMPGFG%PPGRPGAPG
1984-85442.3.49018.812.82.8
1985-861634.0.46012.57.52.0
1986-87433.3.50017.08.51.3
1987-881733.6.45113.56.61.8
1989-90339.3.44415.07.32.7
1990-911939.6.54817.78.31.7
1992-931832.9.43614.47.01.9
1993-94528.2.3339.87.20.8
1994-95635.3.43813.57.83.3
1995-962131.1.45912.34.31.7
1996-971228.3.3378.44.41.3
1997-981021.0.3815.43.21.4
1998-99IND1611.2.5144.11.90.5
1999-00IND2218.1.3244.83.20.4
2000-01IND46.3.2501.71.30.0
Career-16728.6.44611.15.61.5
Data sourced from Basketball-Reference.com; GP = games played, MPG = minutes per game, FG% = field goal percentage, PPG = points per game, RPG = rebounds per game, APG = assists per game. Among Perkins' deepest playoff runs, the 1987-88 season with the saw the team advance to the Finals, where he averaged 13.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per across 17 contests. In the 1995-96 season with the , Perkins helped the team reach the against the , contributing 12.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per in 21 playoff outings; specifically in the Finals series, he averaged 11.2 points on 47.4% shooting over six games. During the 1999-2000 campaign with the , Perkins provided key bench support in the Eastern Finals against the , averaging 3.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per in that series en route to another Finals appearance, where the Pacers fell to the .

Awards and Honors

In the NBA, Perkins was honored with a selection to the All-Rookie First Team following the 1984-85 , acknowledging his debut with the . He finished eighth in voting for Defensive Player of the Year in 1987-88 and fifth for of the Year in 1996-97, reflecting his defensive reliability and bench contributions throughout his 17-. Internationally, Perkins won a as a member of the U.S. Olympic men's basketball team in . Despite reaching the in 13 of his 15 professional seasons and appearing in three (1991, 1996, and ), Perkins did not win an , yet his consistent presence underscored his value as a dependable veteran.

Post-Retirement Activities

Executive Roles

After retiring from his playing career in 2001, Sam Perkins joined the in a front-office capacity, leveraging his as a player to bridge operations and . In 2008, he was appointed of Player Relations, a role in which he oversaw all player-related community service initiatives and coordinated appearances with the 's public relations staff. This position emphasized fostering connections between players and local communities, aligning with Perkins' prior involvement in charitable efforts during his playing days. He held this executive role with the Pacers until 2010. Following his tenure with the Pacers, Perkins transitioned to broader NBA organizational involvement, serving as a consultant focused on and events. In this capacity, he contributed to league-wide initiatives, drawing on his extensive network to support promotional and developmental activities. Concurrently, Perkins became a key figure in the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), elected as Treasurer on the national in 2023, where he helped guide the organization's strategic direction and support for retired players. He has been particularly active in the NBRPA's Dallas Chapter, participating in and helping organize events such as charity dinners, Q&A sessions with NBA alumni, and community programs like the Full Court Press initiative, which promotes youth basketball and life skills in local areas. Perkins has maintained ongoing involvement in the NBA Cares program, the league's global initiative, administering efforts to build through basketball-related , , and service projects. Although no longer formally employed by the Pacers, he continues this work independently, participating in NBA Cares events such as youth camps and international envoy programs to promote and inclusion. His contributions include supporting programs that align with NBA Cares' goals of , , and .

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Perkins has served as a Global for since the mid-2000s, becoming deeply involved through the NBA Cares program by clinics for athletes with disabilities around the . He attended his first Summer in in 2007, where he spoke at the Global to inspire participants and promote inclusion. In 2008, Perkins launched the organization's inaugural program in , expanding access to the for underserved . From 2009 to 2017, he contributed to strategic direction as a member of the International Board of Directors, while continuing to participate in events and fundraising efforts to support global programs. In the early , Perkins founded the Sam Perkins Basketball Camp in , aimed at youth development through instruction in fundamentals, , and teamwork. The annual camp, held at East Chapel Hill High School, attracts participants ranging from elementary to high school ages and emphasizes personal growth alongside athletic training; it operated annually from 2000 until at least 2019. This initiative reflects Perkins' commitment to giving back to his community at the . Perkins has actively supported NBA Cares, the league's arm, by engaging in community builds, youth clinics, and educational programs during his tenure with the and as a ambassador. These efforts focused on underserved areas in and , promoting health, education, and access for local youth. His involvement has included collaborative events that leverage his NBA legacy to foster . As a member of the National Retired Players Association (NBRPA) Dallas Chapter, Perkins participated in 2025 charity events, such as an October Q&A session with fellow alumni Morlon Wiley, aimed at raising awareness and funds for local community improvement initiatives. These activities align with the NBRPA's Legends Care program, which uses to benefit youth and families in need. Raised as a Jehovah's , Perkins' faith has shaped his philanthropic ethos, emphasizing selfless service and community support in his volunteer efforts.

References

  1. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/perkisa01.html
  2. https://www.nba.com/player/64/sam-perkins
  3. https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/6852
  4. https://www.nba.com/mavs/samperkins
  5. https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/650/sam-perkins
  6. https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players/sam_perkins.htm
  7. https://www.sulc.edu/page/sam-perkins
  8. https://www.specialolympics.org/about/ambassadors/sam-perkins
  9. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2479849/bio/
  10. https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19960605/2332912/cool-and-the-gang
  11. https://gnbuzz.com/easy-does-it-sam-perkins-selfless-sacrificial-sonic/
  12. https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/longformarticle/sam-perkins-recruiting-history-north-carolina-tar-heels-basketball-146950300/
  13. https://saratogaliving.com/nba-basketball-capital-region/
  14. https://www.nytimes.com/1993/06/01/sports/baseball-perkins-wakes-up-and-smells-a-title.html
  15. https://www.timesunion.com/hssports/article/shaker-boys-basketball-beats-port-washington-20233422.php
  16. http://www.newyorksportswriters.org/reference/boys_hoops_poy.shtml
  17. https://basketball.realgm.com/highschool/awards-by-season/1980
  18. https://www.facebook.com/BrimItUp/posts/sam-perkins-remarkable-achievement-of-grabbing-24-rebounds-in-the-1980-mcdonalds/824348779965770/
  19. https://alumni.unc.edu/award-profile-samuel-b-perkins-84/
  20. https://vault.si.com/vault/1983/11/28/a-towering-twosome
  21. https://goheels.com/news/2018/3/28/mens-basketball-perkins-named-to-collegiate-basketball-hall-of-fame
  22. https://goheels.com/news/2003/7/6/205492573
  23. https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/sam-perkins-1/gamelog/1982
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  25. https://mudvilleanalytics.com/acc-100/15-sam-perkins-unc-1981-1984/
  26. https://www.basketball-reference.com/leagues/NBA_1985_per_game.html
  27. https://www.nba.com/news/history-all-rookie-teams
  28. https://www.nba.com/mavs/1987-88-mavs
  29. https://www.basketball-reference.com/playoffs/1988-nba-western-conference-finals-mavericks-vs-lakers.html
  30. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DAL/players.html
  31. https://www.nba.com/mavs/markaguirre
  32. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-08-06-sp-334-story.html
  33. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1990/08/07/mavericks-perkins-signs-with-lakers/ab76f2fe-cd6e-4390-9c61-4c9339df61f1/
  34. https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/11/05/sam-the-man-its-showtime-for-mr-low-profile-sam-perkins
  35. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/LAL/1991.html
  36. https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/sam-perkins-game-winning-triple-1991-nba-finals-g1-losangeles-chicago
  37. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-02-23-sp-529-story.html
  38. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1993/02/22/SuperSonics-trade-Benjamin-rights-to-Christie-for-Perkins/5056730357200/
  39. https://projects.latimes.com/lakers/player/sam-perkins/
  40. https://www.landofbasketball.com/playoffs_series/1996_supersonics_vs_bulls.htm
  41. https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/Search/SearchResults.php?Player=&Team=Pacers&PlayerMovementChkBx=yes&BeginDate=1998-7-15&EndDate=2009-5-21&submit=Search
  42. https://www.espn.com/nba/news/2001/0917/1252118.html
  43. https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/IND/1999.html
  44. https://www.statmuse.com/nba/ask/sam-perkins-career-points
  45. https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/perkisa01/gamelog-playoffs/
  46. https://olympics.com/en/athletes/samuel-bruce-perkins
  47. https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/perkinshired080609html
  48. https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2015/06/03/2000-nba-finals-indiana-pacers-lakers-where-are-they-now-reggie-miller-rik-smits/28400495/
  49. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-perkins-5bb7706
  50. https://www.legendsofbasketball.com/nbrpa-announces-new-board-of-directors-and-officers/
  51. https://nbrpadallas.org/
  52. https://www.nba.com/mavs/dallaschapterofthenbrpa
  53. https://fox40.com/business/press-releases/ein-presswire/642182232/nbrpa-and-dallas-chapter-bring-full-court-press-program-to-dallas-texas/
  54. https://chapelboro.com/town-square/unc-basketball-star-sam-perkins-gives-back-with-annual-youth-camp-nba-cares-program
  55. http://samperkinscabc.com/perkins.htm
  56. https://pat-benson-jr.medium.com/nba-legend-sam-perkins-shares-stories-and-hopes-for-the-future-e6cf6b2fa4eb
  57. https://abc11.com/sports/the-great-sam-perkins-is-giving-back-in-chapel-hill/2165547/
  58. https://www.instagram.com/p/DQK6Pvzkfrf/
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