Doris Burke has established a remarkable career in the NBA, evolving from a standout college athlete to a pioneering broadcaster.

Collegiate Basketball Career:

At Providence College, Burke excelled as a point guard, averaging 17.6 points and 7.2 assists per game. She led the Big East Conference in assists during her freshman year and was twice named to both the All-Big East and Big East All-Tournament teams in 1986 and 1987. Upon graduation, she held the school’s all-time assist record with 602 assists.

Transition to Broadcasting:

Burke began her broadcasting career in 1990, providing radio commentary for Providence women’s games. She soon expanded to television, covering Big East women’s games, and by 1996, she was analyzing Big East men’s games.

Breaking Barriers in Broadcasting

In 2000, Burke became the first woman to serve as a commentator for a New York Knicks game on both radio and television. She continued to break new ground by becoming the first woman to be a primary commentator on a men’s college basketball conference package.

Association with ESPN

Joining ESPN in 1991, Burke’s roles included covering WNBA games and serving as the primary voice for the New York Liberty. In 2003, she expanded her repertoire to include men’s college basketball and NBA sideline reporting.

Historic Achievements

In 2020, Burke became the first woman to serve as a game analyst for the NBA Finals on any platform, working with ESPN Radio. By 2024, she made history again by becoming the first woman to serve as a television analyst for a major American men’s sports championship event during the NBA Finals on ABC.

Recent Developments

In August 2023, ESPN/ABC announced that Burke would join Mike Breen and Doc Rivers on their lead broadcasting team, replacing Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. This appointment marked her as the first woman to serve as a television analyst for the NBA Conference Finals and the NBA Finals.