At just 32, Shams Charania is ESPN’s top NBA insider — and it feels like he’s been around forever. How did he do it? He tells us.
It’s “The Main Event with Andrew Marchand”
From JV Cuts to Breaking News – How getting cut from his high school team and a life-changing teacher set Shams on his path
Early Inspirations & Influences – The impact of Lee Jenkins and RealGM
A Teenager at the Finals – How Shams was just 19 years old when he covered his first NBA Finals in 2013
No Fear, No Filter – How a young Shams cold-called anyone and everyone without hesitation,
Why Sources Picked Up For A Teenager – The surprising reasons NBA executives, agents and insiders actually returned calls
The Story That Put Him On The Map – Shams recalls the jitters of breaking his first big story at just 19 years old
The Relationship Rules That Built His Reputation – Why honesty builds long-term equity with sources and a golden rule
Social Network – Shams opens up about missing out on social life and sometimes wondering if it is worth it
ESPN Almost Hired Him as a Kid – The untold story of how Brian Windhorst email almost landed him at ESPN early in his career
Idolizing Woj – Shams opens up about idolizing Adrian Wojnarowski and how Woj changed Shams’ life
Shams vs. Woj – Why Shams didn’t follow Woj to ESPN in 2017, how he felt about the online rivalry that consumed basketball Twitter, and the influence of Jon Krawczynski in leading him to build something special at The Athletic
Woj’s ESPN Retirement Bomb – From Woj’s shocking retirement to Shams navigating his decision to leave The Athletic for ESPN to succeed Woj
The American Dream – How Shams' parents emigrating from Pakistan instilled his work ethic, and the family support system that helped make it all happen
