15 best NBA announcers of all time

Some NBA games are remembered not just for the players on the court, but also for the voices behind the microphone. A great announcer can make a buzzer-beater even more exciting, explain the strategy behind every play and create calls that fans remember for years. The best ones know exactly when to add energy and when to let the moment speak for itself.

>Over the years, the NBA has been blessed with some truly legendary broadcasters. Local announcers became the voice of their franchises, while national broadcasters called unforgettable NBA Finals, All-Star Games and playoff classics.

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>Whether through iconic catchphrases, expert basketball analysis or outstanding storytelling, these announcers helped shape how millions of fans experienced the game. Here are the 15 best NBA announcers of all time based on impact, iconic calls, longevity and influence on basketball broadcasting.

15. Steve “Snapper” JonesSteve “Snapper” Jones became one of the NBA’s most respected color commentators during the 1980s and 1990s. After his ABA/NBA playing career, he worked for ESPN/ABC, CBS, NBC, TBS, TNT and local broadcasts of the Portland Trail Blazers.

>His biggest strength was explaining the small details of the game. Jones broke down post play, rebounding and defensive positioning in a way that every fan could understand. At the same time, he kept broadcasts entertaining with his energetic style. Jones and his former Trail Blazers teammate, the colorful Bill Walton, were broadcast partners for about a decade on NBC.

14. George BlahaGeorge Blaha has spent 50 years as the television voice of the Detroit Pistons. Since joining the team in 1976, he has covered every major chapter in franchise history.

>Fans heard Blaha call the “Bad Boys” championship years, the 2004 title run and the team’s rebuilding seasons. His passion never changed regardless of the team’s record. That consistency earned him respect across the NBA. In 2025, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame honored Blaha with the Curt Gowdy Media Award for his lifetime of excellence.

13. Bill SchonelyBill Schonely became the first play-by-play announcer in Portland Trail Blazers history when the franchise entered the NBA in 1970.

>One year later, he created the famous phrase “Rip City!” during a game. That call became the nickname of the franchise and remains part of its identity today. Schonely also called Portland’s only NBA championship in 1977. Few announcers have become as closely connected to one team and its fan base. In 2012, the Hall of Fame honored Blaha with the Curt Gowdy Media Award for his lifetime of excellence

12. Ralph LawlerLos Angeles Clippers broadcaster Ralph Lawler speaks at a halftime ceremony to recognize his final regular-season game after 40 years at Staples Center. | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn ImagesRalph Lawler spent more than 40 years calling Los Angeles Clippers games. Most of those seasons came when the team struggled, but his excitement never faded.

>Fans loved his signature calls like “Bingo!” and the well-known “Lawler’s Law,” which posited that the first team to reach 100 points usually wins. His positive style made every game enjoyable. The Basketball Hall of Fame honored Lawler with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2019.

11. Kevin CalabroPac-12 Network broadcasters Kevin Calabro (left) and Steve Lavin during an NCAA basketball game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the USC Trojans. | Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn ImagesKevin Calabro first became popular as the voice of the Seattle SuperSonics. Later, he worked for TNT before returning to local broadcasting with the Trail Blazers.

>His smooth delivery and perfect timing have always been his greatest strengths. Calabro knows when to raise his voice and when to let the game speak for itself. His work during Seattle’s successful years and on national television made him one of the most respected play-by-play announcers of his era.

10. Dick StocktonTNT announcer Dick Stockton (center) before the start of Game 5 of the 2012 Eastern Conference semifinals between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. | David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn ImagesDick Stockton covered the NBA during an important period of the league’s growth while working for CBS throughout the 1980s into the 1990s. He also enjoyed a decorated career broadcasting NFL, college basketball and MLB games, famously calling Carlton Fisk’s iconic Game 6 home run in the 1975 World Series.

>Throughout his career, he called numerous NBA Finals and playoff games. His clear and simple style allowed viewers to focus on the action while still feeling the excitement of the biggest moments. The Basketball Hall of Fame recognized Stockton’s outstanding broadcasting career with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2001.

9. Bob CostasSportscaster Bob Costas before a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the San Antonio Spurs. | Bill Streicher-Imagn ImagesBob Costas is known for covering many sports, but his NBA work on NBC remains among the very best. During the 1990s, Costas helped lead coverage of the NBA Finals as the league reached new heights in popularity.

>He blended storytelling, history and sharp play-by-play better than almost anyone. His broadcasts made games feel bigger than the final score. The Basketball Hall of Fame honored Costas with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 1999.

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8. Mike GormanBoston Celtics play-by-play announcer Mike Gorman waves during a timeout in a game against the Washington Wizards. | Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports via Imagn ImagesMike Gorman spent 43 years as the television voice of the Boston Celtics. His partnership with Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn constituted one of the NBA’s most famous broadcast teams.

>Gorman never tried to overpower the game. Instead, he stayed calm, managed the broadcast with ease and allowed dramatic moments to breathe. Celtics fans trusted his voice for generations. The Basketball Hall of Fame recognized his career with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2021.

7. Hubie BrownESPN broadcaster Hubie Brown acknowledges the crowd after being honored with a video presentation during a game between the Philadelphia 76ers and Milwaukee Bucks. | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesHubie Brown changed the way basketball is explained on television. Before entering broadcasting, he built a Hall of Fame ABA and NBA coaching career.

>That coaching background gave him unmatched basketball knowledge. Brown explained offensive sets, defensive rotations and coaching decisions in simple language. His analysis always focused on teaching instead of creating headlines. The Basketball Hall of Fame presented him with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2000. Even into his 90s, he remained one of the game’s most respected analysts.

6. Kevin HarlanNBA on Prime play-by-play announcer Kevin Harlan during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesKevin Harlan, who does NBA games for Amazon Prime after three decades with TNT, has become one of the most respected play-by-play announcers in American sports. Along with the NBA, he has covered the NFL and college basketball at the highest level.

>His powerful voice and outstanding timing make every big moment feel even bigger. Harlan brings excitement without sounding forced. Whether calling a fast break or a game-winning shot, he always matches the energy of the moment. His versatility across multiple sports adds even more to his remarkable career.

5. Chick HearnFew broadcasters have shaped basketball language like Chick Hearn. The longtime Los Angeles Lakers announcer called more than 3,300 straight Lakers games from 1965 until illness ended the streak in 2001, most of them simulcast on TV and radio.

>Many common basketball terms came from Hearn. He popularized phrases such as “slam dunk,” “air ball,” “finger roll” and “no harm, no foul.” His fast-paced style fit the speed of NBA basketball perfectly. The Basketball Hall of Fame honored Hearn with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 1992.

4. Doris BurkeESPN female analyst Doris Burke during the game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New York Knicks at the Crypto.com Arena. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesDoris Burke changed NBA broadcasting history by becoming the first woman to serve as a television analyst for the NBA Finals.

>Her success came through preparation, basketball knowledge and detailed analysis. Burke explains the game’s strategy in a clear and simple way that appeals to both new and longtime fans. Coaches and players respect her opinions because they come from careful study rather than opinions for attention. The Basketball Hall of Fame honored Burke with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2018.

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3. Al McCoyAl McCoy, the play-by-play announcer for the Phoenix Suns, is shown during a pregame show. | Rob Schumacher-Arizona RepublicAl McCoy spent 51 years as the voice of the Phoenix Suns. That made him one of the longest-serving broadcasters in NBA history.

>His famous “Shazam!” call became one of basketball’s most recognizable catchphrases. McCoy covered thousands of Suns games while bringing the same passion year after year. His consistency and storytelling earned admiration throughout the league. The Basketball Hall of Fame presented him with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2007.

2. Mike BreenESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen during Game 1 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesMike Breen has become the modern voice of the NBA. His famous “Bang!” call is now linked with many of the greatest shots in league history.

>Breen started calling New York Knicks games in 1992 before joining ESPN and ABC in 2003. He later became the network’s lead NBA play-by-play announcer. In 2015, he set the television record by calling his 10th NBA Finals. That total reached 21 Finals by 2026. His balance of excitement, accuracy and restraint has made him the standard for modern NBA broadcasting. The Basketball Hall of Fame honored Breen with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2020.

1. Marv AlbertTNT announcer Marv Albert works before the start of a Toronto Raptors game against the Golden State Warriors. | Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY SportsMarv Albert remains the greatest NBA announcer of all time. Known as “The Voice of Basketball,” he spent nearly six decades calling games for the New York Knicks, NBC and TNT.

>Throughout his career, Albert covered countless NBA Finals, All-Star Games, and unforgettable playoff matchups. His trademark “Yes!” became one of the most famous calls in sports. Fans heard him narrate Willis Reed’s dramatic entrance in the 1970 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan’s championship run, the Magic Johnson and Larry Bird rivalry, Kobe Bryant’s rise and LeBron James’ early playoff years.

>His play-by-play style balanced excitement with accuracy better than almost anyone before or after him. Albert retired in 2021 after a remarkable 55-year broadcasting career. The Basketball Hall of Fame presented him with the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 1997, and he later entered the Broadcasting Hall of Fame. Even today, many fans still consider Albert the greatest voice the NBA has ever had.