Detlef Schrempf appears as himself in the Parks and Recreation episode “Telethon.”
Schrempf was a real retired basketball player best known for his NBA career, including his years with the Indiana Pacers. In the episode, Leslie Knope invites him to appear on Pawnee's 24-hour diabetes telethon, but Tom Haverford's attempt to escort him there takes an entertaining detour.
Tom picks Schrempf up at the airport and stops at the Snakehole Lounge. Schrempf becomes so popular that the bar owner will not let them leave, and Tom gets drunk after only two light beers. Schrempf eventually gets Tom to the telethon for his scheduled appearance.
The former athlete returned in later episodes, including “Li'l Sebastian,” where Tom and Jean-Ralphio hire him for Entertainment 720. His straight-faced performance helped make him one of the show's memorable celebrity cameos. He should not be confused with fictional Indiana sports figures or other real athletes who appeared on the series.