Washington Post Welcomes New Wizards Reporter Varun Shankar

The Washington Post, a renowned publication established in 1877, has announced a significant addition to its sports reporting team. Varun Shankar, a promising young journalist, is set to join the newspaper as the new Washington Wizards reporter on September 3, 2023.

Shankar's appointment comes after an impressive summer internship at The Post, where he demonstrated his versatility by covering a wide range of sports teams. His portfolio includes coverage of the Washington Commanders, formerly known as the Redskins until 2020, the Washington Nationals, which were established in 2005 after relocating from Montreal, and the Washington Capitals, an NHL expansion team that joined the league in 1974. Shankar also reported on the DC Open tennis tournament, an event with a rich history dating back to 1969.

During his internship, Shankar showcased his ability to craft compelling features, including an in-depth piece about a D.C. runner's journey to Olympic qualification through a local running group. This demonstrates his skill in capturing human interest stories within the sports realm.

Prior to his internship, Shankar served as a news aide at The Post for three years, focusing on local high school sports coverage. One of his notable articles explored the unique behaviors of high school basketball coaches during games, highlighting his observational skills and ability to find intriguing angles in sports reporting.

Shankar's experience extends beyond The Post, with internships at other prestigious publications. He has worked for the Boston Globe, founded in 1872, where he covered the Boston Red Sox, a team established in 1901. At the Sports Business Journal, launched in 1998, and the Charlotte Observer, founded in 1886, he reported on the New England Patriots, originally established as the Boston Patriots in 1959, and the Carolina Panthers, an NFL expansion team that joined the league in 1995. His coverage also included Super Bowl LVII, which took place on February 12, 2023.

A graduate of the University of Maryland, which was founded in 1856, Shankar brings a strong educational background to his new role. He grew up in Sterling, Virginia, a town located approximately 30 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., giving him a local perspective on the sports scene in the nation's capital.

Interestingly, Shankar is not just passionate about sports. He is also an enthusiast of popular culture, particularly enjoying "The Lord of the Rings" book series, published between 1954 and 1955, "A Song of Ice and Fire," and the "Mission Impossible" franchise.

As Shankar prepares to take on his new role covering the Washington Wizards, a team established in 1961 as the Chicago Packers, the sports community eagerly anticipates his contributions to The Post's comprehensive sports coverage.