WASHINGTON -- Former WNBA and college basketball star Kara Lawson will be the primary television analyst for the Washington Wizards this season.

Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic announced the hiring of Lawson on Wednesday. A longtime ESPN game and studio analyst, Lawson will continue to contribute on ESPN along with working Wizards games.

Former WNBA and college basketball star Kara Lawson became the first female analyst for a nationally televised NBA game in 2007. Allen Kee/ESPN Images

"I'm ecstatic to return to my hometown and be a part of the coverage for the franchise I rooted for ... growing up," Lawson said. "There are not many times in life when you are offered an opportunity that fits on so many levels. To cover the NBA on a day-to-day basis, as part of a team, is a dream come true. I look forward to working with everyone on the CSN Mid-Atlantic team and the Washington Wizards."

Lawson in 2007 became the first female analyst for a nationally televised NBA game. The 36-year-old is a Washington-area native who went to the Final Four three times at the University of Tennessee and won an Olympic gold medal at the 2008 Olympics.

Phil Chenier, who had Lawson's job the past 33 years, will be a second analyst for some games and do pregame and postgame work. Ex-NBA player Drew Gooden also joins the network for some games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.