Turn on ESPN at any time of the morning, afternoon, or night – and sometimes the weekend – and you’ll see her.
Talking NBA with Molly Qerim and Stephen A. Smith on First Take; sharing her opinions and holding her own on Get Up and Around the Horn; calling games and side-line reporting at top-ranked college and pro games, or interviewing some of the most-recognizable athletes or serving as an in-studio game analyst. You can even listen to her as she co-hosts the Jr. NBA Coaches Corner podcast.
Confident. Bold. Knowledgeable. Funny. Everyone’s favorite homegirl.
She’s Monica Mcnu*tt. The ESPN NBA/WNBA/NCAA reporter, host, on-air personality, and basketball analyst whose career has been on a meteoric rise for the past two years.
With her trademark broad smile, pixie haircut, and vast knowledge of sports, Mcnu*tt – a former standout college basketball player at Georgetown – has found a home on the network and in the hearts of many who appreciate her fresh point of view and thought-provoking commentary and opinions on the day’s sports news.
It’s a time in her life that she enjoys and deeply appreciates, especially given the fact that it almost didn’t happen.
“I don’t take it for granted, and I know how much it has taken me to get to this place,” Mcnu*tt told WNBA.com. “For me, the creed of leaving bread crumbs, showing what can be and moving in a way that is gracious – is important.”
“I feel responsible, and if I’m being honest, this informs my decisions.”
Ironically, she was recently reminded of the decision she almost made just a couple of short years ago to go into teaching full-time instead of continuing the pursuit of her sports journalism career. A friend recently texted her a social media memory that popped up, capturing the first time Mcnu*tt did a SportsCenter segment two years ago.
Mcnu*tt, who holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Maryland, reflects on that time and considers it all part of the journey.
“When I think about being prepared to go teach full time and make this a side hustle, I…well, I’m still sort of in that mindset in that what you do doesn’t define who you are,” she said. “And I think that allows me to be me in this space and to know with the utmost confidence I’m going to be okay.”
“Joy, for me, is not something that is based on the outside conditions; it’s internal,” she continued. “I love my job, and I have no intention of walking away from this chapter of my life. But if something were to happen, teaching, coaching girls’ basketball, that’s still there.”
“It’s about being able to surrender and acknowledge that sometimes, paths don’t look the way you envisioned, and that’s okay because if you open your eyes and open your heart, there’s so much good along the way.”
Mcnu*tt has a deep passion for mentoring young women and girls. Among other volunteer and community work, she works alongside Chiene Joy Jones, founder of Grow Our Game, a nonprofit organization based in New York that helps young girls learn self-confidence, self-esteem, and more, all while learning basketball.
“Whenever I have the time, I just pull up on the girls and enjoy the game,” Mcnu*tt said. “I remember being that age, falling in love with the sport, and seeing some of the places it can take you.”
“I feel so strongly about being connected in a meaningful way, especially when it comes to women’s basketball and Black girls,” she continued. “I’m trying to make myself available to young people.”
“Do I have all the answers? No, but am I willing to give you a ‘that a girl, that a boy’ and share a little bit of my story? Yes, because I can remember getting those nods and winks from folks who came before me and how impactful and encouraging that was.”
In remembering those who helped her along the way, Mcnu*tt remains grounded and willing to do her best to help those in need.
“It’s continuing to set an example and make myself as available as possible,” says Mcnu*tt. She doesn’t have a ton of free time but acknowledges she does the best she can.
Mcnu*tt also thinks about the responsibility that comes with being a role model, a title she embraces.
“I am proud to be considered a role model. I am flattered when folks ask to take a picture and are so encouraged and love me and this, that, and the other, but as an athlete, I don’t get too high or too low – so peace is a top line item, and that has really helped me form both business decisions and personal decisions.”
“I don’t have the answers, but part of it for me is being willing to have conversations with young people in terms of their specific experiences,” she said. “When I talk with them, I tell them your path is not going to be my path, and I don’t have the answers. But I am happy to share my experiences and just be a sounding board as you navigate what is going to be your road.”
When she’s not on air sharing hot basketball takes, Mcnu*tt stays centered by enjoying family and friends, being at peace, and embracing her “healthy relationship with ‘no.'”
“For me, I get that I am on a visible platform. I love what I do, but I am very clear about being able to separate what I do from who I am. I have gotten to a place in this pursuit where I am okay with saying ‘no.'”
“I have a very healthy relationship with ‘no.’ I understand that opportunities will continue to come, and so much of life is seasonal; whether we are talking about basketball season or the four seasons or whatever season in your life,” she continued.
“I think it is so important that we be present in whatever said season is, and so for me, it’s been cool to rub shoulders with NBA coaches and NBA players, it’s been great to sit across the desk from Stephen A. Smith; it’s been incredible to ride with my colleagues in the women’s basketball space at some of the biggest profile events. It’s been wonderful to have fun and show up on television as just me, but I also truly treasure the quiet times with people who have known me since I was a kid. Just being with my people who have been with me from the jump.”
At the end of the day, Mcnu*tt lives her life by the motto: life is hard, so choose your hard. “We’re going to do hard, good things or go through hard, difficult things.”
“I think for me; I try to operate from a palace of gratitude because I think that genuinely flips your perspective and changes your outlook. Is everything perfect? No, but at least for me, there is far more to be grateful for than there is to complain about.”
These are definitely, words to live by in life.
WNBA reporter Dorothy J. Gentry writes a column onWNBA.comthroughout the season and can be reached on Twitter at@DorothyJGentry. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the WNBA or its clubs.
