Malika Rose Andrews, born on January 27, 1995, is an American sports journalist and reporter. She serves as the host of NBA Today, which replaced The Jump. Malika joined ESPN in October 2018 in the role of an online NBA writer. Notably, she made her debut as the youngest sideline reporter for an NBA broadcast during the 2020 NBA Bubble. Additionally, her accomplishments led to her recognition as one of the Forbes 30 Under 30 in the sports industry for the year 2021.
Before embarking on her career in sports journalism, Malika Andrews spent a year working at her maternal grandfather’s civil rights law firm. Subsequently, she pursued a degree in communications at the University of Portland and successfully graduated in 2017.
Her journey into the world of sports journalism began in 2017 when she introduced herself to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski at an NBA Summer League game, having gained recognition for her work at The Beacon. Her early professional experience included an internship at the Denver Post, followed by a role as a James Reston Reporting Fellow in the sports department at The New York Times.
Malika Andrews also gained experience working as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune for one year. Afterward, she joined ESPN.com as a reporter, focusing on coverage of the Chicago Bulls and Milwaukee Bucks. Later, she transitioned to New York, where she expanded her reporting to include the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets.
In the unprecedented circumstances of 2020, Malika Andrews was among the first reporters to enter the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex, where the 2019-20 NBA season was completed within the “Bubble.” She notably led the 2020 NBA draft telecast, conducting virtual interviews with the top draftees.
Her achievements extended to 2021 when she received a nomination for an Emmy in the Emerging On-Air Talent category. She garnered recognition from esteemed organizations, including the Society of Professional Journalists, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, particularly for her role as ESPN’s sole black female NBA reporter. Her contributions to the field led to her inclusion in the Forbes 30 Under 30 in the sports industry for 2021.
Malika Andrews is a familiar face on various sports shows, making appearances on programs such as SportsCenter, Get Up, NBA Countdown, Around the Horn, and The Jump.
On July 6, 2021, Malika Andrews was announced as ABC’s sideline reporter for the NBA Finals coverage. This appointment came following the removal of Rachel Nichols after leaked audio revealed derogatory remarks about ESPN’s promotion of analyst Maria Taylor as the primary host of the Finals. Her career continued to thrive in 2022 when she received the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent. In addition, she made history on June 23, 2022, by becoming the first woman to host the NBA Draft.
Malika Andrews also confirmed her living arrangements with her boyfriend in New York City at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. She demonstrated her commitment to her work by studying questions to ask the NBA Finals winner alongside her boyfriend before the Milwaukee Bucks won the championship. In 2021, she relocated from New York City to Los Angeles, where she assumed her hosting role on NBA Today at ESPN.
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