Tue Nov 18 08:20:00 UTC 2025: Summary:
ESPN has announced its new NBA Countdown team featuring Brian Windhorst, Michael Malone, and Kendrick Perkins as analysts, alongside returning host Malika Andrews and Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania. The revamped show will debut on November 19th and will utilize upgraded Virtual Reality 2.0 technology, immersing analysts and fans in a virtual NBA environment with photorealistic player avatars.
News Article:
ESPN Unveils New NBA Countdown Team and Immersive Virtual Reality Experience
Los Angeles, CA – ESPN is set to launch a revitalized NBA Countdown team this Wednesday, November 19th, bringing fans closer to the game than ever before with cutting-edge Virtual Reality 2.0 technology. The show, which will air at 6:30 p.m. ET on ESPN and the ESPN App, will feature a fresh lineup of analysts, including Senior Writer Brian Windhorst, fresh off a multi-year extension with ESPN, alongside recently signed 2023 NBA Champion head coach Michael Malone and 2008 NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins. Malika Andrews returns for her third season as host, and Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania will continue to provide his insights.
The state-of-the-art ESPN NBA studio in Los Angeles boasts the upgraded VR technology, designed to immerse viewers and analysts alike in a virtual NBA world. This technology, first showcased during ESPN’s 2025 Western Conference Finals coverage, now features photorealistic player avatars and a stabilized first-person POV, allowing analysts like Michael Malone, Kendrick Perkins, and Chiney Ogwumike (on NBA Today) to dissect plays and provide commentary from within the virtual action. ESPN hopes the new team and technology will offer a more engaging and informative viewing experience for NBA fans.
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