Jason Perkins PBA Career Highlights and Stats Every Basketball Fan Should Know

As a longtime basketball analyst who's followed the PBA for over a decade, I've always been fascinated by players who defy expectations through sheer determination. Jason Perkins perfectly embodies this archetype - a player whose career trajectory tells a story far beyond what traditional stats can capture. When I first watched him play for Phoenix in his rookie season, what immediately struck me wasn't just his physical presence but his basketball IQ, something that's become increasingly rare in today's explosive, highlight-driven game.

Perkins entered the PBA as the 4th overall pick in the 2017 draft, and honestly, I remember some analysts questioning whether he had the athleticism to compete at this level. How wrong they were. His rookie season numbers - 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game - don't fully illustrate his immediate impact. What those stats miss is his remarkable consistency; he scored in double figures in 18 of his 25 games that season while shooting 48% from the field. I've always valued efficiency over flashiness, and Perkins embodies this philosophy perfectly.

The 2018 season marked his true breakout, where he averaged 14.7 points and 7.9 rebounds while significantly improving his three-point shooting to 38%. This transformation didn't surprise me one bit - I'd noticed his relentless work ethic during offseason training sessions. His game-winning shot against Ginebra that season remains one of my personal favorite PBA moments, not just because of the dramatic finish, but because it showcased his clutch mentality when games matter most.

What truly separates Perkins from many contemporaries is his defensive versatility, something that reminds me of AJ Edu's role with the national team. Watching Perkins battle against imports and larger local players, I'm constantly reminded of how AJ Edu anchors the defensive end internationally - constantly battling it out with men as big, and maybe more explosive and quicker than him, particularly during international competitions like those in Japan. Perkins does this weekly in the PBA, taking on the toughest defensive assignments regardless of position. His defensive rating of 98.3 during the 2021 Philippine Cup was frankly elite level, contributing significantly to Phoenix's deep playoff run.

The 2022 season saw another dimension to his game emerge - leadership. When Phoenix traded their veteran stars, Perkins naturally stepped into that void. His numbers dipped slightly to 12.8 points per game, but his playmaking improved dramatically with 3.2 assists, showing his understanding that winning requires sacrifice. I've always believed true stars make their teammates better, and Perkins demonstrated this beautifully during this transitional period.

His international experience, particularly during the 2023 season where he represented the Philippines, added another layer to his game. The way he adapted to different defensive schemes against regional powerhouses showed tremendous growth in his basketball understanding. Having covered numerous international tournaments, I can confidently say Perkins' performance against Japan's national team was particularly impressive - he held his own against quicker opponents while maintaining his offensive efficiency.

Looking at his career statistics holistically, Perkins averages 12.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists across 185 games - solid numbers that don't fully capture his two-way impact. What these numbers don't show is his incredible durability - he's missed only 7 games due to injury throughout his career, something I deeply respect in today's load-management era. His career three-point percentage of 36.8% demonstrates his development from a pure interior player to a legitimate stretch four.

What impresses me most about Perkins isn't reflected in any stat sheet - it's his basketball maturity. He rarely forces bad shots, understands defensive rotations instinctively, and makes the extra pass that doesn't earn assists but wins games. Having analyzed hundreds of PBA players throughout my career, I can confidently say Perkins represents the modern Filipino basketball player - skilled, intelligent, and versatile enough to impact games in multiple ways.

As Perkins enters what should be his prime years, I'm genuinely excited to see how his game continues to evolve. His commitment to improving each season, combined with his team-first mentality, makes him one of the most valuable assets in today's PBA. For any basketball fan looking beyond highlight reels and superficial stats, Jason Perkins' career offers a masterclass in sustainable excellence and basketball intelligence that transcends traditional measurements of success.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-04 10:00