Hubie Brown, 91, to Call Final NBA Game After 50-Year Career

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Legendary NBA broadcaster Hubie Brown, 91, will call his final game on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2025, marking the end of a remarkable 50-year career in basketball as both a coach and analyst. Brown will be on the call for the Philadelphia 76ers–Milwaukee Bucks game at 2 p.m. ET on ABC, returning to Milwaukee, where he began his NBA coaching career as an assistant with the Bucks in 1972.

Inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2005, Brown has been a constant presence in the NBA, coaching legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Oscar Robertson and broadcasting games featuring stars from Kobe Bryant to Victor Wembanyama. His career has spanned eras, from Allen Iverson to artificial intelligence, making him a beloved figure across generations of basketball fans.

“Guys say to me: ‘How do you feel when you get up? You’re 91 years old,’” Brown said in an interview. “I tell them I’ve never awakened any day and said, ‘Boy, I’m glad I’m 91!’ I’ve never given age a major thought because the business still wanted me to be part of their presentation. This is all humbling.”

Brown’s final broadcast will feature tributes to his storied career, with fellow Hall of Fame commentator Mike Breen joining him in the booth. The two previously called the 2006 NBA Finals together. Brown, known for his meticulous preparation, shared his approach to Sunday’s game: “I always try to see both teams twice within seven days before I do the game. That’s just to see who is starting, substitutions, the latest on who’s injured, who might be coming back, et cetera.”

Despite his age, Brown’s mind remains sharp. He emphasized the importance of staying concise and informative during broadcasts, a philosophy that has defined his style. “You have to understand the difference between doing an analyst job on basketball versus baseball and football,” he explained. “In basketball, you don’t have 20 seconds. If you’re being witty, we’re going to miss the action.”

Brown’s career includes head coaching stints with the Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, and Memphis Grizzlies, where he won NBA Coach of the Year honors in 1978 and 2004. After retiring from coaching, he joined ESPN in 2004, becoming a staple of their NBA coverage. His broadcasting career also included roles with CBS Sports and TNT Sports.

The past year has been emotionally challenging for Brown. His wife of 63 years, Claire Frances Brown, passed away in June 2024, followed by the death of his son, Brendan Brown, in November 2024 due to health complications. “Losing Claire and then Brendan,” Brown said, his voice trembling. “It’s been a tough couple of months.”

As he prepares for his final broadcast, Brown remains focused on the game itself. “This is a big game,” he said. “When you say Philadelphia and Milwaukee, if you were talking before the season started, you’d say the two of them have a chance to challenge Boston. But because of the injuries, we have no idea who’s going to start for both teams. When we go on air, it’s going to be interesting. There’s a lot more for this game than me just saying goodbye.”

Brown’s legacy as an educator of the game is unparalleled. His broadcasts were often described as masterclasses in basketball strategy, delivered with clarity and precision. As he steps away from the microphone, the NBA loses one of its most enduring and respected voices.