NBC Sports is adding a notable name to bolster its basketball coverage.
After wrapping up an 11-year NBA career in 2023, Austin Rivers will now serve as a game analyst for NBC Sports’ college basketball coverage, according to a source familiar with the network’s plans. Rivers will call his first game on Tuesday for Indiana-Michigan State at 9 p.m. ET, exclusively on Peacock. Paul Burmeister will serve as the play-by-play announcer for Rivers’ first game.
Austin Rivers, the son of Milwaukee Bucks head coach Doc Rivers, signed a deal with ESPN immediately after his playing career to become an NBA studio analyst. However, the former guard has not appeared on the network this season. His deal with NBC is not exclusive. Tuesday will be Rivers’ first appearance as a game analyst.
Rivers began his playing career as a star at Duke, earning first-team All-ACC honors his freshman year before entering the NBA Draft after his first season. He’d be taken tenth overall by the New Orleans Hornets before later stints with the Los Angeles Clippers, Houston Rockets, and others.
A true NBA journeyman, Austin Rivers has used his decade-plus of experience in the league to host the Off Guard with Austin Rivers podcast for The Ringer.
With NBC beginning its NBA coverage next season, Austin Rivers — similar to much of his NBA career — could prove a nice depth piece for the network on the pro side. Through his podcast, Rivers has shown adeptness at offering insights into the league. His work on NBC’s college basketball properties may simply be a training ground for Rivers’ future NBA broadcasting ambitions.