On the eve of the 2023-24 NBA season, ESPN continued to reshape its broadcast lineup by adding five studio analysts.
Dave Roberts, ESPN’s head of event and studio production, on Monday, announced the analysts will be shown on studio shows such as “NBA Today,” “First Take,” “Get Up” and “SportsCenter” this season.
Two-time WNBA championship head coach Becky Hammon returns for a second year as a part-time analyst.
“I truly believe one day she will be a coach in the NBA,” Roberts said of the Las Vegas Aces head coach, who also had served as assistant coach with the San Antonio Spurs. “She is just an exceptional analyst when it comes to talking about the NBA — as well as any basketball franchise.”
Also added to the roster is four-time NBA champion Andre Iguodala, who announced his retirement after 19 seasons. The swingman won all his titles with the Golden State Warriors and was the 2015 NBA Finals MVP.
After guiding the Connecticut Sun back to the playoffs, Stephanie White, who was named WNBA Coach of the Year, will likely call some live games in addition to her studio work.
Former New York Knicks general manager Scott Perry and NBA free agent Austin Rivers, son of ESPN game analyst Doc Rivers, join the network’s roster. Roberts said Rivers will call a game with his father sometime this season.
Previously this year, ESPN wrapped up a painful corporate downsizing that saw it part ways with NBA on-air talents like Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Jalen Rose, and Nick Friedell. It also declined to renew the contract of Vince Carter.
With the exception of White, the new studio analysts will generally work on short-term, one-season deals.
ESPN previously announced that Rivers, Doris Burke, play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, and sideline reporter Lisa Salters would form the network’s new No. 1 announce team for marquee games and the NBA Finals.
The network hired former Golden State Warriors GM Bob Myers as a full-time studio analyst.
More must-reads: