Former NBA Finals M.V.P. Paul Pierce Joins ESPN as NBA Studio Analyst

ESPN today announced that former NBA FINALS M.V.P. Paul Pierce has joined the company as an NBA studio analyst. The 10-time NBA All-Star will regularly appear on NBA COUNTDOWN and The Jump throughout the regular season and the NBA Playoffs. Pierce has contributed to ESPN's NBA FINALS pregame and halftime coverage each of the past two seasons.

Commented Paul Pierce: "I always had fun doing guest coverage with ESPN, so it is exciting to officially join the teams at NBA COUNTDOWN and The Jump. I love hoops, my whole life has been about the game, so this feels like a natural evolution in my career and I can't wait for the season to get started."

Pierce will appear on ESPN and ABC editions of NBA COUNTDOWN with host Michelle Beadle, and fellow analysts Tracy McGrady, Chauncey Billups and Jalen Rose. He'll appear on The Jump multiple times per week with host Rachel Nichols and a cast of ESPN NBA analysts and reporters. During the regular season, NBA COUNTDOWN generally airs Wednesdays and Fridays on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET, Saturdays on ABC at 8 p.m. and Sundays on ABC at 2:30 p.m. The Jump airs year-round Monday through Friday, at 3 p.m. on ESPN.

Said Amina Hussein, ESPN NBA coordinating producer: "It's going to be great for NBA fans to have Paul join NBA COUNTDOWN and The Jump on a full-time basis. I'm excited for our viewers to get the full 'Truth' - because Paul's analysis matches his personality - he's very honest, candid and his energy is infectious. His insights and anecdotes about his legendary playing career jump off the screen, and we're looking forward to his perspective on what is shaping up to be an incredible season."

Pierce played 19 seasons in the NBA, with the majority of his career taking place as a member of the Boston Celtics. Pierce helped lead the 2007-08 Celtics to an NBA Championship, in which he was named the most valuable player. Pierce was drafted by the Celtics in 1998. He also played for the Brooklyn Nets, the Washington Wizards and the LA Clippers before retiring as a Celtic in July. Pierce played college basketball at the University of Kansas. He was raised in Oakland and Inglewood, Calif.

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