Who is Doris Burke? Closer look at ESPN's first No. 1 female TV analyst

Doris Burke is one of the leading commentators in the NBA. In 2020, Burke made history when she became the first female game analyst for the NBA Finals when she provided commentary on ESPN Radio. During her tenure at ESPN, Burke has served in several different roles including the NBA, women’s and men’s college basketball and the WNBA.

She has been covering basketball for ESPN since 1991. Previously, Burke served as a WNBA analyst for the New York Liberty on the MSG Network and also as a basketball analyst for CBS Sports from 1998 to 2001. She has also been an analyst for CBS Sports and Westwood One Radio during the earlier stages of her career.

Doris Burke is a former basketball star out of Providence College who held seven records upon her graduation. She finished her college basketball career as the college and conference all-time assists leader.

Doris Burke's new frontier in NBA broadcasting

It was no surprise in August when ESPN announced Doris Burke would be one of the replacements of long-term commentators Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. Burke would be teaming up with former Sixers head coach Doc Rivers on its new lead commentators' team, heralding a new age in basketball broadcasting.

The announcement also included the introduction of former NBA players Richard Jefferson and JJ Redick. Both had been the faces of NBA media, particularly in the online space.

Burke would be right in place, a Hall of Fame broadcaster, having covered the NBA and WNBA as a reporter and analyst for over 30 years at ESPN. She will be right at home in the “A” team, alongside Doc Rivers, Mike Breen and other sideline reporters like Lisa Salters.

NBA fans will be looking forward to hearing more from the trailblazing Burke in the upcoming season.