The NBA is the best basketball league in the world, and therefore, the biggest superstars play there. In that sense, it is not surprising that some players are invited to be part of movies or TV shows. For example, Shaquille O’Neal has made plenty of cameos, and Kobe Bryant made several appearances as well.
Over the years, several NBA players have made cameos in TV shows, some short and forgettable, but others quite funny, either in kids or adult shows, but mainly comedy shows. Without further ado, let’s take a look at 10 NBA players who made cameos in TV shows.
9 Kobe Bryant – Modern Family
The charismatic Kobe Bryant has appeared in several TV shows, such as Hang Time, Moesha, and Modern Family. In the episode “Family Portrait,” Kobe Bryant played himself, preparing for a basketball game. Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell), Gloria Pritchett (Sofia Vergara) and the kids call out and wave at him, then Kobe shows his lovely personality, and interacts with the family for a few seconds. This was a short cameo, but great, as Kobe could turn a five-second segment into gold, what a great guy Kobe was.
8 Rick Fox – The Big Bang Theory
Rick Fox had a fine 13-year NBA career, earning three championship rings with the Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 9.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per game. Off the court, Fox has also been relevant, as he has been spotted with celebrities such as Khloe Kardashian and has worked in several TV shows, such as The Game, Single Ladies, Hit The Floor, and Greenleaf. Rick Fox also made a cameo on The Big Bang Theoryplaying Glenn in the episode “The Love Car Displacement”.
7 Kyrie Irving – Kickin’ It
Surely you didn’t know about this cameo, since the TV show Kickin’ It is not very popular, much less for adults. This show aired on Disney XD from 2011 to 2015, and in the episode “Sole Brothers” Kyrie Irving made a cameo.
It was pretty funny, as Jack (Leo Howard) says “hey, you have Kyrie Irving’s shoes, you have Kyrie Irving’s face, dude, you’re Kyrie Irvin!” and then the player says “that’s what my Rookie Of The Year Award says”. Kyrie has also made animated cameos on We Bare Bears and Family Guy.
6 Dwight Howard, Kevin Love & Deron Williams – The Suite Life On Deck
The Suite Life On Deck was always an entertaining TV show, the brothers’ Cole and Dylan Sprouse (Zack and Cody) were always doing something that made us laugh. In the episode Twister: Part 1, Dwight Howard appeared, playing himself, the half-brother of Marion Moseby.
Later in that same scene, Kevin Love and Deron Williams appear. Obviously, the boys are incredulous to see three NBA superstars, and Mr. Moseby had never been happier in the entire series.
5 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Full House
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is one of the greatest players in NBA history, currently leading all-time in points scored, averaging 24.6 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Kareem is also the player with the most MVP awards, with six. His acting career wasn’t half as good as his NBA career, but it was decent enough. Abdul-Jabbar made cameos in TV shows like Living Single, Amen, 21 Jump Street, New Girl, and Full Housewhere Kareem teaches Jesse how to play basketball as if Kareem knew about it.
4 Karl-Anthony Towns – Gamer’s Guide To Pretty Much Everything
Gamer’s Guide To Pretty Much Everything was a TV show featuring Cameron Boyce (RIP), which aired on Disney XD from 2015 to 2017. Minnesota Timberwolves player Karl-Anthony Towns made a short cameo in one episode, playing himself. Obviously back then Karl-Anthony Towns was not that popular, but today Special K is one of the most versatile and dominant players in the league, excelling in all aspects of the game, perfectly reflecting how basketball has changed.
3 Kevin McHale – Cheers
Kevin McHale had a hall of fame worthy NBA career, he won three championship rings with the Boston Celtics, had seven All-Star game appearances, was a two-time sixth man, and was listed among the top 75 players in NBA history. “Black hole” made a couple of cameos in the TV show Cheers, in the episodes “Cheers Fouls Out” and in “Where Have All The Floorboards Gone”, playing himself. Frankly, it’s a good thing McHale took up basketball. He doesn’t have much talent as an actor, to say the least.
2 Michael Jordan – My Wife And Kids
We all know that Michael Jordan starred in Space Jam, helping the Looney Toons defeat some evil aliens who stole the talent of some NBA players. That movie is a classic, but what many don’t know is that Michael Jordan made a cameo in the TV show My Wife And Kids. It was a very funny cameo that was very close to reality, as Mike played a one-on-one basketball game with Damon Wayans, and beat him up, mercilessly, showing his real-life competitiveness. In the end, the Wayans want to quit basketball and Michael tells him “If you quit now, you are going to quit in life. Don’t quit, try harder.” And then says “everyone wants to be like Mike” in a funny tone.
1 Shaquille O’Neal – Several TV Shows
Shaquille O’Neal is indisputably the NBA player who has had the most success in acting, and he has appeared in many movies and many TV shows, he even has his own show Shaq Life. Some of Shaq’s TV show cameos were in My Wife And Kids, Welcome Back To School, American Idol, Fresh Off The Boat, For Your Love, Arliss, Southland, among others. We would say that Shaq has been as good on TV as he is in basketball, but that would be a lie, as he is an NBA legend.