Robbie Hummel is about to embark on a new adventure in his broadcasting career. This coming basketball season, the Purdue legend will have the opportunity to work for the NBA on NBC and Peacock, an opportunity that was announced earlier this summer.
Hummel, one of the all-time greats in the history of Purdue basketball, quickly gained popularity as a college basketball analyst when he jumped into the field in 2017. After nearly a decade in the business, he's one of the top broadcasters in his field and has earned the chance to call NBA games for NBC during the 2025-26 season.
It's an opportunity Hummel is excited to begin.
"Especially to do it on NBC, it's just such an iconic franchise," Hummel told Sam King of the Journal & Courierfollowing the Purdue Alumni Game on Saturday. "Growing up in Valpo, I was a big Bulls fan, so we watched all those weekend double- and triple-headers that they had. It's a really cool, full-circle thing. But, also, from a career standpoint — I love college, but the NBA is the NBA. Those guys are so good, and they can really play. I'm really looking forward to that."
Hummel has spent the last several years working as a college basketball analyst, appearing on ESPN, FOX, Big Ten Network, NBC, and Peacock.
When Hummel's career at Purdue concluded in 2012, he was selected No. 58 overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves. He spent two years in the league before playing a few years overseas. Ultimately, his NBA career was cut short and he made the leap to broadcasting.
The former Boilermaker says that because of the way his pro career unfolded, he's looking forward to returning to the NBA in some capacity.
"I think if you play there, you'd always like to get back, especially if you feel like your career wasn't what you had hoped it would be as a pro. It's so hard to stick there," Hummel said. "I'd hoped I'd get to do some ... but again, to be able to do it for NBC is not a route that I thought I'd be taking."
For those concerned, no, Hummel won't be going anywhere on college broadcasts this coming year. He still plans to be around college basketball and call plenty of games during the 2025-26 campaign.
"I love college, I'll still do college games, but it's going to be a really, really cool thing to be a part of."
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