Former Duke and NBA standout Shane Battier joins ESPN to become a college basketball analyst. The Big Lead reported the story back in January and now it’s become true.
Battier will appear on various ESPN shows discussing college basketball. His assignments will be finalized later.
Here’s the announcement. Nothing much I can add to this.
Former Duke and NBA Standout Shane Battier Joins ESPN
Recently retired basketball standout Shane Battier – widely recognized for his college and professional career that includes multiple championships and awards – will join ESPN as a men’s college basketball analyst. As part of the multi-year agreement, he will provide insights and analysis across ESPN’s extensive studio programming and on select games from various top conferences (specific assignments are to be determined).
Battier achieved success at both levels of the game, winning a NCAA National Championship at Duke in 2001, where he was awarded the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, as well as two NBA Championships with the Miami Heat in 2012 and 2013.
“After a fulfilling run on the basketball court, I am absolutely thrilled to join the ‘Worldwide Leader in Sports’ in ESPN,” said Battier. “I hope my experiences as a successful collegiate and professional basketball player will add meaningful insight into the dynamic arena of the sports world. I am looking forward to bringing a sense of candor, humor and perspective to all of ESPN’s listeners, readers and viewers.”
During the 2013 NBA Draft, Battier joined ESPN’s coverage interviewing top Draft picks after they had been selected. In the 2006-07 NBA season, Battier appeared in the NBA Fundamentals series, in which players showcase several aspects of the game.
“Shane’s championship caliber of play at every level of the game adds a distinctive element to our college basketball coverage,” said Mark Gross, senior vice president production & remote events. “His passion for – and extensive knowledge of – the game enhances our deep roster of talented analysts.”
Battier was a first round selection in the 2001 NBA Draft (sixth overall) by the Memphis Grizzlies. The forward finished his career playing the last three years with the Miami Heat. Battier played in a total of 977 regular-season games and 112 NBA postseason games during his 13-year career, scoring over 9,090 total points. On the court accolades include: two-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection (2008, 2009); NBA All-Rookie First Team (2002) selection; five-time Division Sportsmanship Award winner, two-time recipient of the Magic Johnson Award and, most recently, the 2014 Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award.
A four-year standout at Duke University, Battier swept the major National Player of the Year awards at the conclusion of his senior year when the Blue Devils captured the national title.
That is it.
