They’re making a name for themselves!
A pair of Oakland sisters are rising in the sports journalism ranks, both covering the NBA for ESPN, The Mercury News reports.
Malika Andrews (26) and her younger sister Kendra (24) have been indoctrinated into sports since they were little girls. Their parents, Mike and Caren Andrews, made it a habit to have family dinner together every night where the four would discuss the sports games they watched. Sports, not cartoons, eventually became their primary source of entertainment, spending hours watching the 49ers, Raiders, or Warriors. Over dinner, their parents would ask them to share their thoughts and strategies for teams.
The girls eventually set their sights on careers in sports journalism, Malika attending the University of Portland studying Journalism, getting a career in the Midwest shortly after college to cover the Milwaukee Bucks and younger sister Kendra shadowing Associated Press reporter Janie McCauley when she was just in high school. Kendra eventually got an opportunity to become the Denver Nuggets beat writer at The Athletic shortly after graduation.
(l to r) Sisters Malika and Kendra Andrews. Photo Courtesy of Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group
Malika’s big shot came recently when she volunteered to become a reporter in the NBA bubble, spending more than 100 days covering sports during the pandemic. Her on-air reporting became a mainstay in sports during an otherwise uncertain year. When the host spot for ESPN’s daily NBA show opened up, Malika was next in line to become the face of the NBA.
“The bubble was a big domino for me. How many moments do you get where you know the whole world is watching?,” Malika recalled.
But in true little sister fashion, Kendra was right on her heels. After her time covering the Nuggets, she returned home to begin coverage for the Warriors for NBC Sports Bay Area, appearing on TV for the very first time. Now, Kendra has also made her debut on ESPN, taking over as the new Golden State Warriors beat writer. Her sister Malika was right there to welcome her, live on air.
“It’s not every day you get to share the screen with your sister. Welcome to ESPN…I’m endlessly proud of you,” Malika tweeted under a clip of her and Kendra.
It’s not every day you get to share the screen with your sister.
Welcome to ESPN, @kendra__andrews. I’m endlessly proud of you. From NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/eVUpPvl9QH
— (@malika_andrews) January 18, 2022
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“I can’t think of two sisters, this young, who have accomplished this much when it comes to landing at what is the de facto, biggest sports media brand in the United States, and perhaps the world,” said Richard Deitsch, sports media writer for The Athletic.
Their parents have also expressed how proud they are. Mom Caren, an art teacher, listens to Kendra’s podcast on her train ride to work every morning, watching Malika’s show during her lunch break. Their father, Mike, a personal trainer, uses his after work time now to grab a beer and watch Malika on ESPN, previously watching his daughter Kendra daily during the Warriors postgame show.
“Mike and I joke now that they monetized our dinner conversation,” said Caren.
“It’s amazing to me. ESPN is just amazing. I keep waiting to wake up,” added Mike.
Congratulations, Malika and Kendra!
Photo Courtesy of @MalikaAndrews/Twitter/NBA Today