This just in from the Blazer home office: Veteran NBA announcer Kevin Calabro has been hired by the Blazers to do play-by-play on TV, replacing Mike Barrett and Mike Rice who departed earlier this week. From the press release:
Calabro spent 21 years as a television and radio announcer for the former Seattle SuperSonics until that franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008. Instead of relocating with the team, he chose his love for the Pacific Northwest and remained in the Seattle area, currently a regular post season national play-by-play announcer for ESPN Radio, Turner Broadcasting and NBA TV, as well as a member of the Westwood One Radio announcer team for the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
“I’m excited to join a great organization like the Trail Blazers that’s committed to excellence; is led by a devoted owner in Paul Allen; and is supported by the most passionate fans anywhere in the country,” said Calabro. “With two young stars in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, a great group of teammates and a terrific coach like Terry Stotts, the Trail Blazers have an incredibly bright future. I consider it a privilege to live and work in the Pacific Northwest, and look forward to becoming part of this franchise and the greater Portland community.”
Calabro’s career accolades are many, including being honored with the 2016 Keith Jackson Western Sports Star of the Year award. He has also done acclaimed broadcast work on the national level with TNT, TBS, ESPN Radio, and NBA TV. In years past, Calabro has also lent his voice talent to several Microsoft video games, including NBA Inside Drive, NBA Full Court Press, and NFL Fever, and as the play-by-play voice of Sony PlayStation NBA games.