Which retired NBA player appears as himself in Telethon?

Detlef Schrempf appears as himself in Telethon.

Schrempf was a retired professional basketball player best known for his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, and Seattle SuperSonics. His connection to the Pacers made him a particularly fitting guest for Parks and Recreation, a series set in the fictional Indiana city of Pawnee.

In the episode, Leslie invites Schrempf to appear on the Pawnee Cares diabetes telethon. Tom Haverford is sent to pick him up at the airport, but takes him to the Snakehole Lounge first. The delay leaves Leslie scrambling for replacement programming during her overnight broadcast.

Schrempf ultimately arrives and makes a scheduled appearance, presenting a $5,000 check that helps the telethon pass its $20,000 target. The role was one of his earliest scripted acting appearances, and he later returned to the series in connection with Tom and Jean-Ralphio’s Entertainment 720 venture.