“HUM DIDDELY DEE!” : The Voice Behind NBA’s Most Loved Announcer

Written by: Anirudh Sengupta

Edited by: Ameya Vathanan

If you’ve ever turned on a Charlotte Hornets game, you have witnessed Eric Collins’s work, even if you haven’t seen him before. Collins is the Charlotte Hornets TV announcer, responsible for the most high-energy and hilarious commentary in all of sports.

Before working with the Hornets, Collins worked extensively in broadcasting, including for teams like the Chicago Bulls and the LA Dodgers. He has also announced for a variety of other sports, including softball and lacrosse. He landed his current role in Charlotte in 2015, and has since become a staple of the franchise.

The only thing that may be more colorful than his language is his pre-game board. Collins makes sure to use a variety of Sharpies to help him prepare. Each board is meticulously crafted with player stats, trivia, and any jokes that he plans on using in-game. Still, he makes sure to leave it all out on the court, not wanting to hold back.

His trademark phrases, “HOW DO YOU DO!” and “GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY!”, always bring energy to a struggling team. Even if the Hornets still aren’t a playoff team this year, Collins will make sure that anyone watching on TV has a great time.