Ohio fans ready for NBA on NBC

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) - "The NBA on NBC" ran for 12 seasons from 1990 to 2002, highlighted by two separate three-peats for the Chicago Bulls dynasty led by Michael Jordan.

It was also an era notably remembered for the theme song “Roundball Rock” composed by John Tesh.

"The NBA on NBC" makes a return to prime time Tuesday night when the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder host the Houston Rockets.

Ohio native Jordan Cornette joins the broadcast crew for the next iteration of the show.

"It's going to feel like the prodigal son coming back to NBC and Peacock and when that song blares, man, I'm going to be juiced and to be a part of the coverage," Cornette said.

"We're going to approach the sideline portion of the broadcast in a different way than you've seen before,” Cornette added. “It's going to be a little bit more progressive and thorough, the sideline role has always played an integral role in coverage, and I think we're going to elevate that in a unique way this year,”

Cornette played high school basketball at St. Xavier before playing four years at Notre Dame. He understands how big basketball, and sports in general, are to the Buckeye state.

"I got to the GCL (Greater Catholic League title) playing in high school at Saint Xavier High School, and it's so huge,” he said. “We went on to win a State Championship there at The Schott in Columbus. And so, it's sports. Everybody says football, but sports are deeply ingrained in Ohio sports fans. They love it all.”

Another Ohio native, Bill Hosket, was a high school player of the year in the 1960s when he played at Dayton Belmont. He went on to play in college for Ohio State, leading them to a Final Four appearance and third place finish in 1968.

Hosket played for legendary OSU basketball coach Fred Taylor before he was drafted by the New York Knicks. Hosket won an NBA title with the Knicks in 1970 and played five years in the NBA with the Knicks and Buffalo Braves.

He said, “Football was always first," but Taylor brought the Buckeyes to the national level. Hosket's son Brad was on the 1999 Ohio State team that made the Final Four.

Ohio may be a football state, but basketball doesn't fall far behind.

"There's an interest in the state of Ohio right now because Cleveland may be the best team in the East,” Cornette said. “I think Ohio's locked in like, ‘Hey, this could be the Cavs year,’ you know? They were knocked on the doorstep last year. Some injuries hurt that group. They now know what it takes to get there and I think there's now a deep rooted interest because there's a team within the state that's got a real shot to win the Larry O'Brien this year.”

Fans who watched basketball in the 1990s will feel peak nostalgia every Tuesday and Sunday throughout the season as "The NBA on NBC" returns. Cornette said he can't wait to be a part of it.

"If that doesn't give you goosebumps, you're not a sports fan, brother,” he said. “I mean, that is, that is, of all the theme songs for sports, that one, to me, is the ultimate, and so when you hear ‘Roundball Rock,’ John Tesh on the keys, getting everything going, you're going to feel like, ‘OK, basketball is back.’”