Does Tyrese Maxey have a future in TV post-basketball? Abbott Elementary’s creator, Quinta Brunson, thinks so.
On Tuesday, Brunson, a Philly native, appeared on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and discussed what it was like having Maxey, Jaylen Brown, and VJ Edgecombe make an appearance on her hit sitcom.
Tyrese Maxey, VJ Edgecombe and Jaylen Brown have already made their television debuts on “Abbott Elementary.” Now, the show’s creator is sharing what it was like to work with the 76ers stars.
Philadelphia native Quinta Brunson appeared on NBC’s “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Tuesday, discussing the experience of bringing some of the city’s biggest athletes onto her hit ABC sitcom.
The three Sixers players made cameo appearances in the show’s Season 6 premiere on Oct. 7, playing themselves in a scene alongside Brunson’s character, Janine Teagues.
Brunson was particularly impressed by Maxey’s personality, suggesting the All-Star guard might have a future in television after his basketball career.
“Tyrese is so charming, you guys, he’s probably going to go on to great things in the sports center space,” Brunson said.
Edgecombe, meanwhile, caught Brunson’s attention for a different reason. Despite his deep voice, the 21-year-old guard reminded her just how young professional athletes can be.
“And VJ, his voice is so deep, and it’s crazy, he’s like a child,” Brunson said. “That’s the thing you realize when you get around them, they’re literal children.”
The Sixers’ appearance added another chapter to the sitcom’s growing relationship with Philadelphia sports. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, and Flyers mascot Gritty are among the local sports figures who have appeared on the show.
Brunson also discussed working with Schwarber during an episode filmed at Citizens Bank Park in August 2025, when the Phillies hosted the Atlanta Braves.
The production initially anticipated a Phillies loss, but Schwarber complicated those plans by hitting four home runs in a 19-4 victory, forcing the writers to adjust their script.
Despite the unexpected changes, Brunson praised Schwarber’s professionalism. She recalled that the slugger arrived on time, remembered his lines and handled the filming process so smoothly that she compared working with him to acting alongside veteran performer James Spader.
“He filmed the scene afterwards, and he’s a really good guy,” Brunson said. “I feel like if you’re looking for a baseball player to put your spirits behind right now, you can put them behind Kyle.”
Brunson’s conversation also turned to her own Philadelphia roots, including receiving the key to the city from Mayor Cherelle L. Parker in 2025.
Although appreciative of the honor, Brunson joked that the key didn’t come with the access she might have preferred.
“You can’t do anything with it except for hang it on your wall,” Brunson said. “I would like it to open the door to Lincoln Financial Field, Citizens (Bank Park), but it doesn’t do anything.”
For now, Brunson will have to settle for bringing Philadelphia’s biggest sports stars onto her own television set.
“Abbott Elementary” airs Wednesdays on ABC, with episodes available to stream the following day on Hulu.
