Courtney Kirkland

Courtney Kirkland has officiated 1,371 regular-season games in 23 seasons as an NBA staff official. He has also worked 59 playoff games, including four NBA Finals games. 

Kirkland was a member of the crew that officiated the 2021 NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, which honored Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). All three officials in the game – Kirkland (Southern University), Tony Brown (Clark Atlanta) and Tom Washington (Norfolk State) – attended HBCUs. Kirkland also officiated the 2020 NBA All-Star Game in Chicago, making him one of five officials in history to work consecutive NBA All-Star Games.

His officiating experience includes two seasons in the WNBA and three seasons in the Continental Basketball Association, working the Finals in both leagues. He was a high school official for four years in Louisiana. 

Kirkland earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from Southern University. At Northwestern High School in his native Flint, Mich., he was part of the basketball team that reached the state semifinals in 1991 and 1992. 

Off the court, Kirkland has been involved in efforts to curb homelessness in Atlanta (where he now resides). He also supports the Help for Flint water relief efforts in his hometown. 

Kirkland enjoys playing golf, exercising and writing.