Sam Perkins facts for kids
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Perkins in 2016
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | June 14, 1961 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
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| High school |
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| Listed height | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Listed weight | 235 lb (107 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College | North Carolina (1980–1984) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NBA Draft | 1984 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4th overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selected by the Dallas Mavericks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro career | 1984–2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career history | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1984–1990 | Dallas Mavericks | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1990–1993 | Los Angeles Lakers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1993–1998 | Seattle SuperSonics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2001 | Indiana Pacers | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Career NBA statistics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Points | 15,324 (11.9 ppg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebounds | 7,666 (6.0 rpg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Blocks | 933 (0.7 bpg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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Samuel Bruce Perkins (born June 14, 1961) is a former American professional basketball player and team executive. He was a three-time All-American in college. Sam Perkins was also part of the North Carolina Tar Heels team that won the national championship in 1982. He also earned a gold medal with the 1984 United States men's Olympic basketball team. Perkins played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 17 seasons.
Early Life and High School Basketball
Sam Perkins was born in Brooklyn, New York. He went to Samuel J. Tilden High School there. Later, he moved and graduated from Shaker High School in Latham, New York. In 1980, he was named the best large-school player in New York by the New York State Sportswriters Association. He was also chosen for the 35 Greatest Boys McDonald's All-Americans team.
College Career Highlights
Perkins played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels. He played from 1980 to 1984 at the University of North Carolina.
Becoming a College Star
In 1981, Sam Perkins was named ACC Rookie of the Year. He played alongside future NBA Hall of Famers James Worthy and Michael Jordan. Together, they led the Tar Heels to win the NCAA championship in 1982.
Awards and Records
Perkins was named an All-American three times during his college career. In 1984, he was honored as the USA Basketball Male Athlete of the Year. He finished his time at UNC as the Tar Heels' all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots. He was also the second-highest scorer in the team's history. Perkins graduated from UNC in 1984. He was a co-captain of the gold medal-winning 1984 United States men's Olympic basketball team. He was also named first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference three times.
Sam Perkins' NBA Journey
The Dallas Mavericks picked Sam Perkins as the fourth overall player in the 1984 NBA draft. He played as a Power forward and center in the NBA. His professional career lasted from 1984 to 2001.
Playing for Top Teams
In 1985, Perkins was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. He played for several famous teams. These included the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Indiana Pacers.
Memorable NBA Moments
On April 12, 1990, Perkins scored his career-high of 45 points. He also tied an NBA record on January 15, 1997. In that game, he made eight three-pointers without missing any. Perkins played in three NBA Finals:
- The 1991 NBA Finals with the Lakers.
- The 1996 NBA Finals with the SuperSonics.
- The 2000 NBA Finals with the Pacers.
In Game 1 of the 1991 NBA Finals, Perkins made a game-winning three-point shot. This shot helped the Lakers defeat the Chicago Bulls. He was known by nicknames like "Sleepy Sam," "Big Smooth," and "The Big Easy."
Life After Basketball
After retiring from playing, Sam Perkins continued to be involved in basketball.
Honors and Recognition
In 2002, Perkins was named to the ACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball team. This recognized him as one of the fifty greatest players in Atlantic Coast Conference history. In September 2008, he was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame. In 2018, Perkins was named to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Working with the Indiana Pacers
In 2008, Perkins became the vice president of player relations for the Indiana Pacers. He held this position until 2010.
Helping Others Through Sports
In 2011, Perkins traveled to South Sudan as a Sports Envoy. He worked with Dikembe Mutombo to lead basketball clinics. They also led team-building exercises for 50 young people and 36 coaches. This work helped the U.S. Department of State's mission. It aimed to remove barriers and create a world where people with disabilities are fully included.
Sam's Basketball Camp
Perkins runs a summer camp for young people in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. This camp helps kids learn and improve basic basketball skills.
Personal Life
Sam Perkins was raised as a Jehovah's Witness. During his professional career, he would stand apart from his teammates during the national anthem. This was due to his religious beliefs.
Images for kids
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Sam Perkins at his basketball camp in 2019
See also
- List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds
- List of National Basketball Association career games played leaders
In Spanish: Sam Perkins para niños
