Ever wondered what other NBA stars—besides Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith—have thrived in the TV industry? You’re not alone. Over the years, plenty of former players have swapped sneakers for microphones, becoming trusted voices and familiar faces for fans.
Their on-court experience, mixed with charisma and insight, has helped them carve out impressive second careers in television and radio. While the Inside the NBA crew gets most of the spotlight, we’re putting the focus on some underrated names who’ve also made broadcasting magic. And yes, we’ll spotlight just one of those TNT legends—after all, we’ve heard plenty about them already!
Bill Walton – Eccentric Entertainer-Turned-Analyst
Few personalities in basketball have ever been as unforgettable as Bill Walton. Towering at 7-foot-2, he wasn’t just a dominant force on the court—he was a magnet for media attention even back in his UCLA days. Think about it: three straight national championships from 1972 to 1974 under John Wooden, and three consecutive National Player of the Year awards. That’s not just dominance—it’s legacy in motion. But Walton didn’t disappear after retirement—instead, he grabbed a mic and kept entertaining. By 1990, he was already calling NCAA tournament games for CBS.
Over the years, you could catch Bill breaking down the NBA Finals for NBC and analyzing games for ABC and ESPN. Yep, he had quite a resume on TV. However, what truly made Walton stand out was his on-air vibe—offbeat, lively, and full of stories that could veer from hilarious to downright surreal. No wonder fans dubbed him one of the most universally beloved former players on TV.
As for his further journey on TV, by 2012, Walton was back in college basketball with ESPN and the Pac-12 Network, championing the Conference of Champions with unmatched passion. His charm earned him multiple top analyst honors and a Sports Emmy in 2001 for Best Live Sports Broadcast.
Reggie Miller – The Stoic Sharpshooter’s Pivot to TNT
If you’ve ever watched an NBA game on TNT and found yourself drawn in by a calm, insightful voice breaking down the action, chances are it was Reggie Miller. Long before stepping behind the mic, Miller was lighting up the court as one of the most lethal shooters in NBA history, spending all 18 seasons of his career with the Indiana Pacers (1987–2005). Once he retired in 2005, he didn’t step away from basketball—instead, he leaned in even further.
Apr 9, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; TNT analyst Reggie Miller during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
He quickly joined TNT Sports as a game analyst and became a trusted presence for fans, calling everything from early-season matchups to high-stakes playoff games, including the NBA All-Star Game and Conference Finals. Unlike Charles Barkley’s boisterous style, Miller brought a calm, studied approach rooted in film analysis. His fans value that precision—and above all, they appreciate that he genuinely loves basketball and is passionate about the subject, a passion that’s clearly felt every time he’s on air.
Steve Kerr – Five-Time Champion as TNT Analyst
Before Steve Kerr began drawing up plays from the sidelines, he was breaking down the game in front of a camera. If you remember the days when he knocked down clutch threes, you’ll recall that his playing career spanned from 1988 to 2003. In that time, Kerr didn’t just win titles—he collected five of them: three with the legendary Chicago Bulls and two with the always-consistent San Antonio Spurs. And right after hanging up his sneakers in 2003, Kerr didn’t stray far from the hardwood.
Turner Sports brought him on as a TNT analyst, where he teamed up with the great Marv Albert. And if you tuned in during those years, you might remember Steve’s Refreshing Thoughts—a light, quirky segment where he tossed in fun NBA history bits that made you smile between highlights.
Kerr’s first stint in broadcasting ran until 2007, when he stepped into the front office as the Phoenix Suns’ GM. But the TV booth pulled him back in 2010. By 2011, he was calling NCAA Tournament games with Jim Nantz and Clark Kellogg. Across eight seasons, fans appreciated how naturally he blended in-depth analysis with the perspective only a former player can offer.
Grant Hill – Playmaker Turned On-Air Play-by-Play Analyst
If you’ve followed basketball over the past few decades, chances are you’ve seen Grant Hill shine—first on the court, and now behind the mic. Over a 19-year career, he was named co-Rookie of the Year in 1995 and became a seven-time All-Star. Though injuries cut into his prime and he never captured an NBA championship, Hill earned immense respect for his versatility and grace under pressure. And once he retired in 2013, Hill didn’t miss a beat. He dove straight into broadcasting, bringing his court vision to the screen.
That same year, he began co-hosting NBA Inside Stuff on NBA TV—a show that brought back the classic pre-game vibe many fans grew up loving. By 2015, he was a fixture in CBS and Turner Sports’ NCAA Tournament coverage, even joining the lead March Madness broadcast team with Jim Nantz and Bill Raftery. On top of that, he became a familiar face on TNT’s NBA coverage. Known for his clear, composed delivery and deep basketball insight, Hill has become a go-to voice in the sport’s media landscape.
Charles Barkley – The “Round Mound of Rebound” on TV
If you’re a Charles Barkley fan, you probably already know what happened after he hung up his sneakers. In 2000, Barkley jumped straight into TV, joining Turner Sports as an analyst on Inside the NBA. Since then, he’s been a familiar face on the show for over two decades, sharing the desk with Ernie Johnson and the rest of the crew across four decades of NBA playoffs. What made Barkley stand out wasn’t just his basketball IQ—it was his bold, unfiltered, and often hilarious take on everything. Whether he’s going on a wild rant or making a bold prediction (like nearly guaranteeing a Brooklyn-Celtics sweep in 2021), he keeps fans glued to the screen.
November 23, 2018; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Turner Sports sportscaster Charles Barkley before The Match: Tiger vs Phil golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
It’s no surprise that Barkley quickly became the heartbeat of the show. According to Turner executives, he’s a big reason why Inside the NBA became “the prime example of what studio shows strive to become.” His on-air work hasn’t gone unnoticed either—he was picked up four Outstanding Studio Analyst Emmys.
Turner Sports president Lenny Daniels put it best when he said Barkley is “one of the most influential figures in sports history, with a personality and voice that transcend the entire media industry.” It’s clear: Barkley turned a Hall-of-Fame playing career into a broadcasting legacy just as impressive.
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