Former Duke Basketball Guard Austin Rivers Lands New Gig

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ESPN revealed this week that NBA journeyman and former Duke basketball guard Austin Rivers, best remembered in Durham for his 3-point splash to give the Blue Devils a road win over UNC in 2012, is joining its team as a studio analyst.
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On Monday, The Athletic's Richard Deitsch explained the 31-year-old Rivers' expected role for the network:
"Rivers' main focus will be studio work, but at some point, he will cover a game with his father, Doc Rivers. Doc joined the network on a multiyear deal in July after spending most of the past 24 seasons as an NBA coach. He had a brief stint as an ESPN/ABC analyst during the 2003-04 season after leaving the Orlando Magic."
Austin Rivers isn't shy about expressing his opinions and analysis on his podcast, Off Guard With Austin Rivers. He should make for a good fit behind the mic at ESPN.
Austin Rivers is set to join ESPN as an analyst and will call at least one NBA game with his dad, Doc Rivers this season.
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) October 23, 2023
Father son duo 🎤🔥 pic.twitter.com/DKeLlT95A2
Furthermore, he has 11 years of experience as an NBA player, spanning seven franchises, since getting drafted at No. 10 overall following his one-and-done Duke basketball campaign.
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And on that note, there's still a chance Rivers find a spot on an NBA roster later this season. He's averaged 8.5 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 34.9 percent from three across his 707 regular season games in the league.
However, he's now over five years removed from the only two seasons he averaged double-digit points (his career-high 15.1 points per game came in 2017-18, his last season with the Los Angeles Clippers).
Last season, Rivers averaged a career-low 4.9 points, seeing action in 52 games for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.
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