Tyrese Maxey shows up to unconventional Thanksgiving plans

On Thanksgiving in Philadelphia, Tyrese Maxey traded his basketball for a chew toy. The 25-year-old star of the Philadelphia 76ers took part in the agility competition at the 2025 National Dog Show, guiding two beautiful border collies, Howie and Spike, through a challenging obstacle course.

Maxey admitted afterwards that the experience “got me out here sweating,” joking that he felt like he had just played a full quarter of NBA action. The course featured hurdles, weave poles, tunnels and a tyre jump, and his pups performed admirably.

OK, it wasn’t great from Howie. His run came first and it was more of a tug-of-war than a speed test. The excited border collie got distracted by Maxey’s toy than the course, dragging the star guard into a playful struggle that had the crowd tearing up with laughter. Despite the detour, Howie completed the course in 41 seconds.

“I played in a lot of playoff games... and that’s the most nervous I’ve been”

Maxey’s second attempt, with Spike, went much smoother. Spike clearly learnt from his cousin’s failed attempt and shot through the obstacles and reached the finish line in 30 seconds. OK, Spike missed the final tunnel, but who’s counting?

“I’ve been on the course with no crowd. So that was my first time with the crowd,” Maxey told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I played in a lot of playoff games. I played in both the Gardens. I played in Miami. I played in Brooklyn — and that’s the most nervous I’ve been to go through something... It’s amazing, man. It’s a really cool experience. The places that the world can take you. I’m blessed.”

“I think that was probably my favorite part, the tugging,” Maxey said. “That was really fun to improvise, but definitely fun.”

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“The experience is amazing,” Maxey added. “I really like dogs. [I] really liked watching dog shows when I was younger. So for me to be able to go out there and actually put two dogs on a course is really fun.”

Event organisers had initially approached the 76ers with the idea of having an NBA player participate, knowing a dog lover among them would jump at the chance. Maxey, who already owns multiple dogs and has some prior experience working with agility trainers, was the natural fit.