How Tyrese Maxey nearly injured himself at dog show

76ers star trades basketball for dog agility course

Tyrese Maxey found himself completely out of breath, feeling like he’d just played an entire quarter of NBA basketball. The Philadelphia 76ers guard wasn’t coming off the court after a defensive stand or fast break opportunity. Instead, he was recovering from something entirely different: directing dogs through an obstacle course at the National Dog Show.

The 2024 NBA All-Star participated in the Purina Pro Plan Incredible Dog Challenge Agility Show, which was taped Nov. 16 at the Kennel Club of Philadelphia in front of approximately 15,000 spectators. His performance aired Thursday on NBC as part of the network’s annual Thanksgiving Day tradition of broadcasting the prestigious dog show.

From hardwood to agility course

Dressed casually in all gray with a beanie and glasses, Maxey tackled the agility course with two different dogs named Howie and Spike. The course featured multiple challenging obstacles including 1. two tunnels that dogs had to navigate through, 2. weave poles requiring precise maneuvering, 3. multiple agility hurdles of varying heights and 4. a tire suspended in the air for dogs to jump through.

The 76ers star held toys and shouted commands like jump, tunnel and weave, weave, weave, weave while running alongside his four-legged partners. His segment aired after the breed judging portion of the show but before the National Dog Show group judging commenced.

How Maxey landed the gig

Show officials reached out to the 76ers organization to gauge whether any players might be interested in participating in the unique segment. Maxey emerged as the perfect candidate because he owns three dogs himself and had previous experience with dog agility training.

The connection runs deeper than just pet ownership. In 2024, Maxey appeared in a State Farm commercial with the Players Tribune where he learned dog training skills from Perry DeWitt and Jessica Ajoux, both professional agility trainers. DeWitt was involved with the 2025 dog show, creating what NBC Sports producer Alexa Maremaa described as a perfect melding of the worlds.

Genuine dog lover shines through

Producers wanted Maxey to arrive early for a tour of the venue, and the basketball star was equally eager to explore. He specifically requested to find certain breeds, particularly cane corsos (one of the breeds he owns) and bullmastiffs.

Maremaa recalled how Maxey’s enthusiasm was palpable when he encountered the larger dog breeds. His face lit up as the big dogs approached, slobbering and displaying their massive size. The genuine affection Maxey showed for the animals made his participation feel authentic rather than just a celebrity cameo.

Injury concerns and preparation

With carpets covering the course and various obstacles creating potential hazards, producers worried about Maxey potentially injuring himself. Maremaa admitted she was frankly afraid he might trip and fall, creating issues with the 76ers organization.

Running alongside a dog while not really watching where you’re going presents unique challenges. Tunnels and other obstacles appear suddenly, making the activity more physically demanding than it might seem to viewers at home.

To minimize risks and set Maxey up for success, agility professionals helped select which dogs would work best with the basketball star. They deliberately chose a smaller dog that might yap at him for entertainment value, paired with one of the bigger dogs known for being low maintenance and easy to work with.

Practice makes better performance

Before taping began, Maxey asked if he could walk through the course with the professionals and practice commands for each section. This dry run with the pros helped him understand where to say tunnel here and weave here, setting him up for a smoother performance.

Professional handlers with their trained dogs typically complete the course in 18 to 21 seconds. Maxey’s first attempt with Howie took 41 seconds after the dog became more interested in playing tug-of-war with a toy than completing the weave poles properly.

His second run with Spike went considerably smoother. Maremaa thought it looked real smooth, and Maxey managed to finish in a commendable 30 seconds. The improvement between runs showed his quick learning ability translating from basketball to dog handling.

The experience wears him out

After completing both runs, Maxey explained on the NBC broadcast that the dogs had him sweating like he’d just played a full quarter of basketball. The physical demands of sprinting alongside animals while maintaining focus on commands and obstacles proved more exhausting than anticipated.

He joked that he planned to stick to staying on the basketball court rather than pursuing a second career in dog agility training. The comment drew laughs from the audience and showcased his easygoing personality that has made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia.

No immediate plans for return

While there are currently no plans to have Maxey return to an agility course for future broadcasts, his obvious passion for dogs left the door open for potential future appearances. Maremaa noted that anytime you can showcase somebody with genuine passion for something, it’s never a bad thing.

The segment provided viewers with a lighthearted break from the typical dog show format while highlighting an NBA star’s personality outside of basketball. For Maxey, it offered a chance to combine his love of dogs with his public platform, creating a memorable Thanksgiving moment for fans of both basketball and the National Dog Show.

His participation also demonstrated how athletes can connect with audiences through shared interests beyond their sport, making them more relatable to fans who might not follow basketball closely but enjoy watching the annual dog show tradition.

@bleacherreport Tyrese Maxey participating in the 2025 National Dog Show 🐶👏 (via Ryan Mack, @The Philadelphia Inquirer, phillyinqsports/IG) #nba #basketball #sixers #tyresemaxey ♬ original sound – Bleacher Report

Story credit: ESPN