Michael Perkins reflects on role in ‘Hardball’ 25 years later

Michael Perkins, who played Kofi Evans in the film ‘Hardball’, is reflecting on his experience 25 years after the movie’s release. A Chicago native, Perkins was only 14 years old when he was cast alongside Keanu Reeves and Michael Jordan.

Perkins describes his unexpected path to Hollywood, noting that he initially auditioned simply to get out of basketball practice. He recalls a pivotal moment when his grandmother encouraged him to accept the role, even though it required cutting short a summer trip to New York. Perkins recently shared that his grandmother has passed away, noting that his performance in the film served as a tribute to her.