AS THE HOST OF NBA TODAY AND ONE OF THE most respected voices at ESPN,

Malika Andrews HAS BUILT A CAREER ON PREPARATION, CURIOSITY, AND AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO telling the full story.

Since joining ESPN in 2018, the Oakland native has become a trusted presence across the network’s biggest events—from the NBA Finals to the NBA Draft and, more recently, Grand Slam tennis coverage.

But long before she was interviewing the biggest names in sports, Andrews discovered the power of journalism as a college reporter at the University of Portland, when one of her stories prompted a meaningful safety change for student-athletes. Andrews’s family roots sparked her love of sports, and now sees success less as a destination and more as an ongoing practice of preparation, growth, and showing up with purpose. Read about Malika Andrews’s journey in her C&C 100 interview below.

What’s your earliest memory of feeling connected to sports?

Sports have always been central to my family and it started with my parents. They met when my dad was a trainer at the gym my mom worked out at. I grew up playing every organized sport I could pack into my after-school schedule. Being from Oakland, the Golden State Warriors games were appointment viewing in our house. That was my introduction to the NBA.

When did you realize this wasn’t just something you loved, but something you wanted to pursue seriously?

When I was a sophomore in college. I joined the University of Portland’s student newspaper, The Beacon, as a sports reporter. I was assigned to cover a soccer game where an athlete suffered a head injury after running headfirst into the cement wall that bordered the field on campus. I did an interview with the Sports Medicine Director where he admitted that he had raised concerns to the school’s administration before and had advocated for putting up protective measures. After the story was published, padding was added to the wall. When I saw that reporting I did could impact change, no matter how small, I was hooked.

What’s a behind-the-scenes wellness habit or ritual that plays a major role in how you show up each day?

I started using an analog alarm clock to try to limit reaching for my phone first thing in the morning.

How did you navigate spaces that weren’t originally built with women in mind?

I don’t think it’s productive to constantly analyze whether or not a space is “built for women” or not. That framing can be limiting. My approach has always been to show up as though I belong, while also being thoughtful about how I move within that space. It’s less about navigating exclusion and more about trying to contribute, be prepared and share information openly because that’s how we can expand access for others.

“If you focus on good work, the brand recognition will come.”

When the stakes are high and all eyes are on you, what keeps you steady and confident in those moments?

I put a lot of care into my preparation for big events. Ahead of my first Australian Open, for example, I met with our tennis researcher weekly for four months. Then when the moment comes, I take a breath and fall back on the prep.

What’s something people often misunderstand about being a sports journalist?

I think it’s easy to underestimate how much of this job is about listening, not talking. My job is to stay curious and ask questions that fans watching would want to know.

How do you build trust with athletes and teams while maintaining journalistic integrity?

It starts with just being human: show up, be direct, be honest. Trust is built over time when people know you’re going to show up the same way every time.

What dreams/goals do you have for your business that both excite and scare you?

I am so excited to continue to stretch into tennis with Wimbledon and the US Open coming up.

How do you define success for yourself now vs. earlier in your career?

I gave the commencement speech at my alma mater in May. To prepare, I spent time asking people I respect what their definition of success is. The great Pat Riley, one of the greatest coaches in NBA history told me: "no one way to success, success is the way." There is no one path to success. There is no magical place where you arrive and where contentment lives. When I was younger, I believed success was a destination. Success is a process. It's a recipe of unrelenting ambition, tireless work ethic, acknowledging where your strengths lie and a commitment to improvement. It's keeping a clear vision for yourself and of yourself while being nimble enough to walk through open doors. When I was younger, I was focused on success, the noun. It was a place to get to. Now, I think I am still results driven but I'm focused on being successful, the verb and being more process driven.