The Milwaukee Bucks hire a new courtside reporter

Bucks fans will see a fresh face in front of the camera next season.

The Milwaukee Bucks have chosen Melanie Ricks to be its new sideline reporter for the team's games on Bally Sports Wisconsin. She will also be the digital reporter for the in-house content team. Ricks replaces the popular Zora Stephenson, who's set to tackle an exciting position with a national network.

Familiar face

Ricks is no stranger to both the Bucks and its fans, as she served as a fill-in sideline reporter last season and the in-arena host for the last 11 seasons. She hails from Milwaukee and actually began her career with the Bucks at the tender age of 12 when she was part of the junior dance team. Bucks fans are quite familiar with her face and her voice as she hosts a radio show called “Nothin’ But The Truth with Melanie Ricks” on 101.7 The Truth in Milwaukee.

“Melanie’s storytelling abilities and experience with the Bucks organization will make her a great addition to Bucks games on Bally Sports Wisconsin,” Peter Feigin, President of the Bucks and Fiserv Forum, said. “We’re excited for her to tell the stories of Bucks basketball and Fiserv Forum throughout the season, and we look forward to Bucks fans getting to know her better in this new role.”

New chapter

Ricks also shared how the Bucks have been like a family to her and how excited she is to continue the legacy of the courtside reporters who served before her.

“As a Milwaukee native and longtime member of the Bucks organization, I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter with such an exciting team,” Ricks said. “I’m humbled to be able to tell the stories of this team and organization, continuing the legacy of those who came before me. The Bucks organization has been like a family to me from the moment I started, and I can’t wait to begin this season.”