Courtney Kirkland Biography – Flint-Born NBA Referee

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Courtney Kirkland Bio

Courtney Kirkland is a professional referee in the NBA League. Image Source: Social Media.

  • Birth DateOctober 22, 1974
  • Birth Name Courtney Kirkland
  • Age 50
  • Father's Name Grover Kirkland
  • Mother's Name Earlean Kirkland
  • Birth Place Flint, Michigan, USA
  • Birth Sign Sagittarius
  • Nationality American
  • Profession NBA Referee
  • Partner Shenia Coleman Kirkland
  • Relationship Status Married
  • Children Kendall Kirkland, Chandler Kirkland
  • Education Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Courtney Kirkland is a well-known referee in the National Basketball Association. He has more than twenty years of experience as an NBA official. He is also recognized as one of the most successful and renowned basketball referees.

The impressive professional career of the basketball referee is well-known to the general public. However, the ref’s personal details have not been disclosed. So, let’s learn more about Courtney Kirkland’s net worth, career, wife, and children.

Son Of A Legendary Basketball Coach

On October 22, 1974, the NBA official was born in Flint, Michigan, USA. He attended Flint Northwestern High School, where he was a part of the basketball team that reached the state semifinals in 1991 and 1992. Later, the young man graduated from Southern University in 1999 with a degree in Computer Science.

Courtney Kirkland’s father, Grover Kirkland, was a  legendary basketball coach in the Flint area who helped build Northwestern into a prep basketball powerhouse. He is the only son of his dad and mother, Earlean Kirkland. Grover passed his affection for basketball to his only child. Moreover, the referee’s father was inducted into the Great Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame. Sadly, he passed away in 2014 at the age of 73.

Also Read: Learn More About Michael Lewis’ Biography

Courtney Kirkland Net Worth And Career

Kirkland’s journey to the NBA began in 1994 as a high school official for the Baton Rouge Basketball Officials Association. He was even named Rookie Official of the Year the following year. Although he initially doubted pursuing refereeing as a career, he is now one of the most successful referees in the NBA League. As a result, Courtney Kirkland’s net worth must be a significant sum.

The NBA official was also mentored by veteran NBA referee Bernie Adams in college. The former was one of the referees to fill up an open CBA officiating post. Kirkland only refereed a few games spending three seasons in the CBA, but that experience left a strong impression on him. Also, he worked for two seasons in the WNBA.

The Flint native then engaged in a training program with the Southeastern Conference. There, he was noticed by the then NBA supervisor Darell Garretson, which fueled his NBA career. So, following his graduation from college, he was appointed as an NBA referee in the 1999-00 season.

But, it’s not always sunshine for referees on the court. For instance, after ejecting the Warriors’ Shaun Livingston in 2017, Courtney and Shaun had a brief altercation. Following the incident, the player was suspended for one game, and Kirkland was removed from the officiating rotation for one week.

As an NBA referee, Kirkland has officiated 1,310 regular-season games over 22 seasons. He has also refereed 51 playoff games. Moreover, he was one of 36 officials selected and announced for the 2022 playoffs.

Furthermore, NBA referees earn $180,000 to $550,000 per year on average. So, Kirkland’s salary must be in the higher range, considering his years of experience. Hence, Courtney Kirkland’s net worth must be rapidly increasing like his flourishing career. 

Bill Kennedy is another NBA Referee with enormous income.

Is Married To A Renowned Attorney

The well-known NBA official is a married man. Courtney Kirkland’s wife, Shenia Coleman Kirkland, is a corporate attorney and the founder of Coleman Kirkland Law Group, LLC. It is a boutique law firm specializing in corporate commercial law matters. In addition to that, Shenia is also a law professor, novelist, screenplay writer, and motivational speaker.

On April 13, 2004, the couple’s first daughter was born. Unfortunately, she passed away six and a half weeks later. Courtney and his life partner were devastated by the loss. However, the duo is now blessed with two beautiful little girls.

Courtney Kirkland’s daughters are Kendall Kirkland and Chandler Kirkland. The birthdays and other details of the children remain concealed. Courtney has kept his personal life away from the spotlight like other celebrities. Nonetheless, the Kirkland family resides in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Courtney Kirkland's Daughters
Courtney Kirkland and his wife have two adorable daughters. Image Source: Shenia Coleman Kirkland’s Facebook.

Aside from refereeing, Kirkland has been working actively to eradicate homelessness in the Atlanta area. He also created a Scholarship Fund in memory of his late daughter. The scholarship provides educational assistance to siblings of children who pass away. So, he is equally hardworking both on and off the court.

Thus, the NBA official’s hard work and philanthropy efforts are really inspiring.

Facts And Trivia

  • Courtney enjoys writing and producing films.
  • The referee’s favorite book is Total Money Makeover.
  • He likes watching ‘Martin.’
  • His hobbies are playing golf, writing, and exercising.