Monica McNutt is an American basketball analyst and broadcaster. She was born on October 24, 1989, in Suitland, Maryland.
McNutt is best known for her work at ESPN and the MSG Network.
Who is Monica McNutt?
Monica McNutt built her media career after first playing college basketball. She now works as an analyst, host, and reporter across several major networks.
She covers the NBA, WNBA, and college basketball. Along with her television work, she serves as the primary Knicks radio analyst on 98.7FM ESPN New York.
McNutt has become a familiar voice on ESPN’s SportsCenter, NBA Today, and Around the Horn. She also hosts MSG PM on MSG Networks.
Early Life of Monica McNutt
Monica McNutt was born and raised in Suitland, Maryland. Her father, Kevin McNutt, worked as a basketball referee, and her mother, Desiree McNutt, also had ties to the sport.
McNutt has said her father served as her first basketball coach. That early influence shaped her path toward the sport long before broadcasting entered the picture.
She attended the Academy of the Holy Cross, a Catholic high school in Kensington, Maryland. There, she was named most valuable player of the Maryland Private School Tournament.
Monica McNutt Age
Monica McNutt is 36 years old as of 2026, born on October 24, 1989. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio.
She earned her master’s degree in journalism at age 23. That milestone came several years before she joined ESPN.
Monica McNutt Ethnicity and Nationality
Monica McNutt holds American nationality. She is of African-American descent, according to multiple biography sources.
She grew up in Suitland, Maryland, a majority Black suburb of Washington, D.C. Her father’s role as a referee and coach shaped her early connection to basketball culture in the area.
Monica McNutt Height and Weight
Monica McNutt reportedly stands around 6 feet tall, or about 183 centimeters. Specific current weight figures are not confirmed by a reliable source.
She played guard at the college level. That height gave her an edge defensively, and she was known during her Georgetown career for her steals and quickness.
Monica McNutt Education
Monica McNutt earned a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University in 2011. She majored in English language and literature while playing for the Georgetown Hoyas women’s basketball team.
She later enrolled at the University of Maryland, College Park, where she earned a master’s degree in broadcast journalism in 2013 through the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. Before finishing that degree, she worked as a kindergarten aide.
McNutt has said a professional development seminar changed her direction. A school principal invited a woman to speak to staff, and that talk pushed McNutt toward pursuing journalism seriously.
Monica McNutt Career
College Career
Monica McNutt played for the Georgetown Hoyas from 2007 to 2011. Over four seasons, she appeared in 131 games and averaged 8.9 points per game for her career.
Her best season came as a junior in 2009-10. That year, she averaged 11.2 points per game, led the team with 73 steals, and earned Second Team All-Big East Conference honors.
The Hoyas advanced to the NCAA tournament during her junior and senior seasons. Along with that run, the team reached the Sweet Sixteen, though Georgetown never captured a conference title during her time there.
Career Start in Broadcasting
After graduating in 2011, McNutt worked as a kindergarten aide before shifting toward journalism. She completed her master’s degree at the University of Maryland in 2013 while building her broadcasting resume.
Her first reporting job came at WJLA ABC7 in Washington, D.C. From there, she moved through stints at The American Sports Network, BeIN Sports, and NBC Sports Washington.
She also worked as a freelance writer for The Washington Post early in her career. Those roles built the foundation for her later move to a national platform.
Joining ESPN and Recent Work
McNutt joined ESPN in 2019 as an ACC Network studio and game analyst. By 2021, her role had grown to include SportsCenter, Around the Horn, First Take, and NBA Today.
She has reported courtside during the NBA Finals and covered the NBA Draft on ABC since 2022. In addition to ESPN, she works as a studio analyst for the New York Knicks and hosts MSG PM on MSG Networks.
Since the 2023-24 season, McNutt has served as the primary Knicks radio analyst on ESPN New York. She also appeared on NBC’s coverage of the 2021 Summer Olympics and has contributed to Fox Sports 1, CBS Sports Network, and Turner/NBA TV.
Beyond her broadcasting duties, McNutt co-hosts the Jr. NBA Coaches Corner podcast and the SALA Series podcast. She also works with Grow Our Game, a New York nonprofit that teaches basketball skills alongside self-confidence to young girls.
Monica McNutt Career Stats and Records
- Career college totals: 131 games played, 8.9 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, 1.5 steals per game
- Junior season: 11.2 points per game, 73 steals, Second Team All-Big East
- High school: Most Valuable Player, Maryland Private School Tournament
Monica McNutt Awards and Recognition
McNutt earned Second Team All-Big East Conference honors during her junior season at Georgetown. That recognition came after she led her team in steals while also posting her best scoring numbers.
In high school, she was named most valuable player of the Maryland Private School Tournament. She also led her team in free throw percentage, field goal percentage, and three-point percentage as a senior.
Monica McNutt Endorsements and Sponsorships
Monica McNutt has been reported to have brand ties with Nike and Gatorade. Independent confirmation of the specific terms of these partnerships is limited, so this detail should be read as a reported association rather than a confirmed contract.
Her broadcasting platforms at ESPN and MSG Networks remain her primary public-facing work. Podcast hosting adds another income stream alongside her television and radio duties.
Monica McNutt Husband
Monica McNutt is married to Justin Jackson. He works in basketball operations with the National Basketball Players Association.
The couple met through a mutual friend in 2019. Their relationship started as a friendship before turning romantic.
McNutt and Jackson got engaged in 2024, announcing the news through an exclusive photoshoot with Essence. They married on August 17, 2024.
Monica McNutt Net Worth
Monica McNutt’s net worth has been estimated at roughly $3 million as of 2026.
Her primary income comes from her broadcasting roles at ESPN and MSG Networks. Reported salary figures for sports analysts in her position have ranged between $77,000 and $151,000 annually, though her profile has grown substantially since her early contracts.
She signed a new contract with ESPN in October 2024. Beyond her television and radio work, she earns additional income through podcast hosting and reported brand partnerships.
Monica McNutt Social Media
Monica McNutt is active on Instagram under the handle @mcnuttmonica, where she shares her work appearances and personal updates. She is also active on X, formerly Twitter, under the same handle.
Her social bios reference her roles with MSG Networks, the New York Knicks, and ESPN. She regularly posts about her basketball commentary and career milestones on both platforms.
The Bottom Line
Monica McNutt built her broadcasting career from a standout run at Georgetown, where she earned Second Team All-Big East honors as a junior in 2009-10. She joined ESPN in 2019 and expanded into SportsCenter, NBA Today, and NBA Finals coverage by 2022.
McNutt grew up in Suitland, Maryland, coached early on by her father, a basketball referee. She later shifted from a kindergarten aide job into journalism after a professional development seminar changed her direction.
She continues to serve as the New York Knicks’ primary radio analyst on ESPN New York and hosts MSG PM on MSG Networks. McNutt married Justin Jackson on August 17, 2024, after the two met through a mutual friend in 2019.
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