Updated 4:10 p.m.
New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was reportedly shot and injured during a brazen robbery early on Wednesday morning, soon after he left a Maspeth strip club.
Police said that the shooting took place in the vicinity of Tyler and Maurice avenues just after 4:30 a.m. on Dec. 30. According to published reports, Early and an unidentified female were riding in an Uber cab moments after leaving the nearby CityScapes gentlemen’s club on 58th Street when three vehicles blocked the car in near the Maspeth Avenue location.
Authorities said four to six suspects, all of whom were described as black males wearing masks, exited the vehicles and demanded Early give them his items and jewelry. Early complied but was shot once in the right kneecap, sources familiar with the investigation said.
Officers from the 104th and 108th Precincts and EMS units responded to the incident. Early was rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was listed in stable condition. His female companion was not injured.
The Knicks drafted Early, a New York City native, in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. He was recently recalled from the team’s Developmental League squad based in Westchester County. On the big club, Early has served the Knicks primarily off the bench, averaging one point and four minutes per game this season.
The investigation is ongoing. Check back with QNS.com later for additional details on this developing story.
