Kristian Ferrell
Austin Rivers is a former professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the NBA. He was selected by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) in the 2012 NBA draft, playing for them for three seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. He then went on to play for several other teams, including the Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves. Since retiring from the NBA, Rivers has worked as a sports analyst for ESPN and NBC Sports, and hosts a podcast called Off Guard With Austin Rivers. With 11 years of experience in the NBA, spanning seven franchises, and a wealth of insights to share, Rivers has found a new career path in sports broadcasting and analysis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Occupation | Sports analyst for ESPN, Podcast Host of Off Guard With Austin Rivers, Game analyst for select College Basketball games on NBC Sports |
| Former Occupation | Professional Basketball Player |
| Teams Played For | New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves |
| College Career | Duke |
| Draft Pick | 10th overall in 2012 NBA draft |
| Years Active | 11 seasons |
| Current Age | 30 years old |
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What You'll Learn
Austin Rivers' career as an NBA player
Austin Rivers is an American former professional basketball player who played for 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is currently a sports analyst for ESPN and has also worked as a game analyst for select college basketball games on NBC Sports.
Rivers was born in Santa Monica, California, on August 1, 1992. He is the son of Milwaukee Bucks head coach and former player Doc Rivers and Kristen Rivers (née Campion). He has three siblings: an older brother, Jeremiah, who played basketball for Georgetown and Indiana; an older sister, Callie, who played volleyball for the University of Florida; and a younger brother, Spencer, who was a guard for UC Irvine from 2014 to 2019.
Rivers had a successful high school basketball career at Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Florida. He led his team to back-to-back Florida 6A state championships in 2010 and 2011 and was one of the top-rated high school basketball players in the class of 2011. He also played for Team USA in the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit and was a McDonald's All-American.
After his impressive high school career, Rivers joined Duke University's basketball team. In his freshman year, he played in exhibition games in China and Dubai during an international tour in August 2011, contributing to victories over the Chinese and Dubai national teams. On February 8, 2012, his three-point basket in the final seconds of the game led Duke to an 85-84 victory over the University of North Carolina. However, Duke's 2012 NCAA Tournament run was short-lived, as they lost to Lehigh University in the "Round of 64" on March 16, 2012, ending Rivers' college career.
Rivers then declared for the 2012 NBA draft, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility. He was selected by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) with the 10th overall pick, joining rookie Anthony Davis, the first overall pick. Rivers made his NBA debut on October 31, 2012, in the Hornets' season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. He played for the Pelicans for three seasons before being traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2015, where he became the first son to play for his father in an NBA game. On February 21, 2015, he scored a then-career-high 28 points in a win over the Sacramento Kings, and on May 8, he scored a playoff career-high 25 points in the Clippers' victory over the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semi-finals. Rivers re-signed with the Clippers on July 13, 2015, but his 2016 season was interrupted by a broken left hand. He still managed to score a career-high 32 points in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 31, 2016.
After three years with the Clippers, Rivers was traded to the Washington Wizards in June 2018. His stay in Washington was brief, as he joined the Houston Rockets in December of the same year. He went on to play for the New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves, facing defensive challenges during his time with the Knicks. Rivers played for 11 seasons in the NBA before retiring and becoming a sports analyst.
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Rivers' current work as a sports analyst
Austin Rivers is a former professional basketball player who played 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played for teams such as the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), the Los Angeles Clippers, the Washington Wizards, and the Houston Rockets. After his retirement from basketball in 2023, Rivers began working as a sports analyst for ESPN. He also works as a game analyst for select college basketball games on NBC Sports.
Rivers' transition from basketball player to sports analyst is a natural progression given his extensive knowledge of the sport and his strong performance in his rookie season. He has shown that he can offer insightful commentary and analysis on the game, which has been well-received by fans and critics alike.
As a sports analyst for ESPN, Rivers provides studio analysis and commentary on NBA games. He offers insights and opinions on the performance of players and teams, as well as strategic analysis. Rivers' experience as a player gives him a unique perspective that enhances his analysis and connects with viewers. He is also able to provide in-depth interviews with current and former players, coaches, and other basketball personalities.
In addition to his work with ESPN, Rivers has also served as a game analyst for NBC Sports since 2025. He provides commentary and analysis for select college basketball games, offering his expertise and insights to a wider audience. Rivers' work on NBC has been well-received, and he is considered a valuable addition to the network's basketball coverage.
Rivers' career as a sports analyst has been marked by his ability to provide insightful and engaging commentary. He has quickly established himself as a respected voice in the world of basketball, leveraging his experience as a player to enhance his analysis. Rivers' work as a sports analyst continues to evolve, and he is expected to remain a prominent figure in basketball commentary for years to come.
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Rivers' early career and college basketball
Austin Rivers, born in Santa Monica, California, is the son of former basketball player and coach Doc Rivers. He attended Winter Park High School in Winter Park, Florida, where he excelled at basketball. He led his high school team to back-to-back Florida 6A state championships in 2010 and 2011 and was named the 2011 Gatorade Florida Player of the Year. He also played in the 2011 Nike Hoop Summit for Team USA and was a McDonald's All-American.
After graduating from high school, Rivers chose to play college basketball for Duke University. In his freshman year, he played in exhibition games in China and Dubai, showcasing his talent and scoring abilities. He continued to impress during his time at Duke, leading the team to several victories with his scoring and all-around play.
On March 16, 2012, Rivers' college career came to an end when Duke lost to Lehigh University in the "Round of 64" of the NCAA tournament. Despite this setback, Rivers declared for the NBA draft on March 26, 2012, foregoing his final three years of college eligibility. He was selected by the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans) with the 10th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft, joining his father in the NBA.
Rivers made his NBA debut on October 31, 2012, starting for the Hornets in their season opener against the San Antonio Spurs. He played 24 minutes and scored 7 points in a losing effort. Despite a successful rookie season, Rivers' time with the Hornets was short-lived. After three seasons, he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers, where he played for three years before being traded again.
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Rivers' illness and absence from games
Austin Rivers is an American former professional basketball player who played for 11 seasons in the NBA. He is currently a sports analyst for ESPN.
Rivers has had several injuries and illnesses that have caused him to miss games throughout his career. In March 2013, he broke his hand and required surgery, forcing him to miss the remainder of the season. In February 2016, he suffered another broken hand and was ruled out for four to six weeks. In addition to his hand injuries, Rivers has also dealt with back spasms, neck injuries, and illnesses that have caused him to miss multiple games.
One notable absence occurred in 2023 when Rivers was suspended by the NBA for three games without pay due to his involvement in an altercation with the Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba. Aside from these setbacks, Rivers had a successful career, playing for teams like the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Some of the teams he played for during his 11-year NBA career include the New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans, Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Although Rivers has had to sit out games due to various injuries and illnesses, he has still managed to have a notable career and make his mark in the NBA.
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Rivers' podcast, Off Guard With Austin Rivers
Austin Rivers, an American former professional basketball player, currently works as a sports analyst for ESPN and NBC Sports. He played for 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for teams including the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rivers hosts two podcasts: "Off Guard with Austin Rivers" and "Go Off with Austin Rivers".
Off Guard with Austin Rivers
Austin Rivers co-hosts "Off Guard with Austin Rivers" with Pausha Haghighi. The podcast features recaps of NBA games and discussions about various teams and players. In one episode, they recap Round 1 plays, including the Timberwolves-Lakers series and the Knicks-Pistons series, highlighting the Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle duo and KAT's shot-making. They also address the Lakers and debate whether the Warriors can win it all, and what it would mean for Steph to get his fifth ring. In another episode, they kick off by reacting to the Warriors-Rockets series and discussing how an injured Jimmy could impact the Golden State Warriors' playoff chances. They also cover the Pistons-Knicks matchup and review Kawhi and Cade Cunningham's playoff performances.
Go Off with Austin Rivers
"Go Off with Austin Rivers" is a podcast by UNINTERRUPTED and is hosted by acclaimed hoops analyst and personality Tate Frazier. Each episode features Austin Rivers and informed guests engaging in relevant debates and sharing insightful stories. In one episode, Rivers is joined by his brother-in-law, Seth Curry, and they discuss the Curry family's approach to shooting, growing up in NBA homes, their time at Duke University, and their top five players of all time. In another episode, Rivers calls up his father and former NBA player and coach, Doc Rivers, and they discuss a range of topics, including NBA life during the lockdown, their time together on the Clippers, and comparisons between Kawhi and Michael Jordan.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Austin Rivers did not retire from basketball. He played for 11 seasons in the NBA and is currently a sports analyst for ESPN.
Austin Rivers played for the New Orleans Hornets (now Pelicans), Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Denver Nuggets, and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Rivers has worked as a game analyst for select college basketball games on NBC Sports since 2025. He also hosts a podcast called Off Guard With Austin Rivers.
Rivers played college basketball for Duke, where he averaged 16.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. He then played for 11 seasons in the NBA, spanning seven franchises.
