Athlete/actor will have recurring part in FX series

LOS ANGELES -- Pro basketball player-turned-actor Rick Fox has taken another step into Hollywood, signing on to a recurring part in FX's drama "Dirt."

The series, which is likely to premiere next year, stars Courteney Cox ("Friends") as the powerful editor of a gossip magazine and revolves around the celebrity culture the magazine perpetuates. Cox is also an executive producer of the show, along with husband David Arquette and writer Matthew Carnahan.

Fox won't be playing himself on the show, but the character isn't too far away from his real life: According to The Hollywood Reporter, the character will be a well-known hoops star who has marital problems. Fox filed for divorce from actress Vanessa L. Williams two years ago, after pictures of him with another woman popped up in The National Enquirer.

Fox played 13 seasons in the NBA with the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 9.6 points per game for his career. He helped the Lakers win three straight championships from 2000-02 and retired after the 2003-04 season.

He had a recurring part on HBO's "Oz" and last season guest-starred in several episodes of UPN's "Love, Inc." He's also appeared in a few basketball-themed movies, including "He Got Game" and "Blue Chips."