Given basketball’s popularity, numerous stars have branched out into other areas of entertainment. We’ve seen professionals in music videos, on panel shows, and in Hollywood movies. However, alongside also appearing on podcasts, many NBA players from over the years have made appearances in some much-loved reality TV shows.
While most people prefer to watch the NBA’s finest make the game look so easy on court, their appearances in the reality television sphere still pique the interest of many fans. These familiar stars aren’t just associated with producing game-winning skills and are backed by fans who look at today’s MVP odds. Alongside this, they’re known by reality TV fans everywhere, given their starring roles in some well-liked shows. Let’s take a look at some examples of this below.
Jason Maxiell
Jason Maxiell didn’t exactly conduct himself in the best manner during his time on Basketball Wives: LA. Also featuring his partner, the former Detroit Pistons star and current assistant coach for the Stockton Kings, appeared to have multiple affairs in numerous episodes, therefore facing scrutiny for his behavior. While some professional basketball players strive to be role models for younger fans of the sport, Jason Maxiell clearly struggled to do so.
Victor Oladipo
The Masked Singer has featured a number of unlikely guests over the years, and Victor Oladipo is another example of this. Despite the shock of seeing him take off his mask, the former Orlando Magic and current Wisconsin Herd player nailed his performance and clearly enjoyed his time on one of the biggest shows around.
Juan Dixon
Like Jason Maxiell, Juan Dixon is another NBA professional who decided to let cameras into his home and film life with his partner. In the end, it backfired as fans who watched Bravo’s Real Housewives of Potomac didn’t think Dixon was a model husband. In fact, many passionate viewers ranted about his lack of effort online, and they felt his spouse was largely neglected. Following the backlash, Juan Dixon was forced to speak candidly in subsequent interviews, sharing how much he adored his partner and how he regretted his behavior at times.
Kris Humphries
After jumping on board the Kardashian brand following his 2011 marriage to Kim, Kris Humphries was heavily featured on the family’s various television shows before and after their marriage. However, in the end their love didn’t last, as the pair decided to call the whole thing off after just 72 days of marriage. For the former Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics star, it was clearly a traumatic experience.
Dwight Howard
While it’s up for debate as to whether or not Dwight Howard’s singing performance outshone Victor Oladipo’s time on stage, the fact that another NBA player was brave enough to sing in front of millions is admirable. Howard was on Season 8 of The Masked Singer and seemed to be liked by viewers of the show, with his rendition of “Tutti Frutti” by Little Richard going down a treat.
Derek Fisher
Not every basketball player can channel their inner pop star in the same way that Victor Oladipo and Dwight Howard did, but that doesn’t mean they can’t dance their way to glory on TV. That’s exactly what Derek Fisher attempted to do by appearing on Dancing With the Stars. While the former Los Angeles Lakers player won five NBA championships during an illustrious career, he failed to reign supreme on stage.
Special mention must also go to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Dancing With The Stars), Lamar Odom (Keeping Up With the Kardashians & Celebrity Big Brother), and Cliff Robinson (Survivor).
