Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks weren’t the only people making history in the world of sports on Thursday night. After the Bucks won their first NBA title in 50 years, ESPN’s Malika Andrews hosted the annual trophy presentation ceremony. By doing so, she made history. At just 26 years old, she became the youngest sports broadcaster to host an NBA Finals trophy presentation.
Andrews’ feat did not go unnoticed. As she led the joyous event, a number of sports media figures tweeted their support for the rising reporter.
“[You] can’t play point guard any better than Malika Andrews did running the trophy presentation,” Medill School Director of Sports Journalism J.A. Adande tweeted.
“[It’s] very impressive to watch a 26-year-old, Malika Andrews, interview the world champion Milwaukee Bucks on national television, and handle it as smoothly and professionally as she has,” ESPN’s NFL insider Adam Schefter added.
Adding to Andrews’ accomplishment, she wasn’t originally scheduled to cover the 2021 NBA Finals. However, she was added to the broadcast crew after Rachel Nichols after her comments about Maria Taylor forced her into a more distant role. Stepping in as a last-minute replacement, the 26-year-old Bay Area native was able to make history.
