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ESPN is rolling out a fresh look for NBA Countdown, adding new voices and upgraded technology as the network prepares for its next slate of marquee game nights. The revamped studio team will debut Wednesday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App.
Senior writer Brian Windhorst joins the program after signing a multi-year extension with the network. His addition strengthens a panel that will now feature 2023 NBA champion head coach Michael Malone and 2008 NBA champion Kendrick Perkins as analysts.
Malone, who recently joined ESPN, brings a championship resume and a coach’s perspective to the broadcast. Perkins returns in his established role. Offering a blend of insight and personality that has become central to ESPN’s NBA coverage.
Meanwhile, Malika Andrews will continue as host for a third season. Andrews has become a key face of the network’s NBA programming. She’ll continue to guide pregame and halftime coverage for select NBA on ESPN broadcasts throughout the year.
Additionally, Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania will maintain a regular presence on the show. Delivering news, reporting updates, and league developments.
Beyond personnel changes, ESPN is upgrading the viewing experience with expanded use of Virtual Reality 2.0 inside its Los Angeles NBA studio. The enhanced technology creates a virtual environment that places analysts directly inside animated sequences from around the league.
The system made its initial debut during the 2025 Western Conference Finals. ESPN says this new version offers improved stability, a more natural first-person point of view, and photo-realistic player avatars.
The VR space will be featured across NBA Countdown and NBA Today, enabling Malone, Perkins, and analyst Chiney Ogwumike to break down plays and concepts within an immersive, court-level setting. ESPN believes the tool will help analysts better demonstrate strategy while giving fans a more dynamic look at the game.
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