Jason Perkins

Perkins is the youngest of three siblings. His father is an African-American, while his mother, Jennifer (née Cahigas), is a Filipina, who hails from Bolinao, Pangasinan. Perkins' interest in sports began at a young age and he played basketball and football as a child.[2]

Perkins attended at Shakopee High School in Shakopee, Minnesota, where he suited up for the Sabres boys basketball team.[3] He also played Tight end (TE) for the school's varsity football program.[4][5] During his senior year in 2010-11, he averaged 16.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game, and signed the letter of intent to play for the Valley City State University in April 2011.[6] He also played AAU ball when he was a teenager, suiting up for a squad called Pump N Run, where got his moniker Hefty Lefty.

After graduating from Shakopee in 2011, Perkins attended at Valley City State University to play basketball for the Vikings, but he only played for one year there. In 2012, he decided to come to the Philippines to study upon the proddings of his mother Jennifer, who had always encouraged him to live in her native land.[7]

He was initially recruited by former San Beda head coach Frankie Lim to play for the Red Lions, but left following Lim's resignation. Then he was invited by De La Salle University officials to visit the campus, and soon after, he joined the practice with the Green Archers. He served his one-year residency before finally suiting up for the Green Archers in the 2013 UAAP season. In his rookie season, he averaged 12.7 PPG on 52.8% FGs and 9.6 RPG and was instrumental in La Salle's title conquest. He was also named to the Mythical Five—the only rookie on the list—along with Terrence Romeo, Roi Sumang, Ray Parks and Karim Abdul.[8]