ESPN confirmed back in October that NBA Countdown veterans Malika Andrews and Kendrick Perkins would be joined on the show by former Denver Nuggets coach Mike Malone this year. Now, the network has revealed via a press release that senior basketball writer Brian Windhorst is joining the program following his multi-year contract extension.

Stephen A. Smith said Tuesday he asked to come off ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” pushing back on headlines suggesting he was yanked from the show after the network unveiled a revamped cast Monday.