Police were looking into a break-in at a residence on Friday linked to NBA star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The incident occurred while Gilgeous-Alexander was playing a game the previous night. The Thunder directed inquiries to the Nichols Hills police department, situated north of downtown Oklahoma City. Details about the homeowner and the stolen items were not disclosed by the police.
Originally hailing from Hamilton, Ont., Gilgeous-Alexander was the victim of the burglary that was reported around 7:45 p.m. on Thursday while the Thunder were competing against the Washington Wizards at home. Local television stations captured footage of law enforcement officers at the scene.
According to the police statement, the suspects had fled before the authorities arrived, and although no arrests had been made, there was no indication of any threat to the public’s safety.
This break-in aligns with a series of similar incidents targeting prominent professional athletes’ residences across the country. Athletes such as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, Joe Burrow, Luka Doncic, and Evgeni Malkin have all fallen victim to burglaries believed to be motivated by the presence of valuable possessions in their homes.
Law enforcement has cautioned sports leagues about thieves targeting players’ homes, particularly on game days when the athletes are away. The NBA issued a memo in November 2024 advising teams to enhance home security measures. Recommendations included installing advanced alarm systems with cameras, securing valuables in safes, removing online property listings displaying interior images, hiring security services during extended absences, and employing guard dogs for added protection.