Police are investigating a burglary at an Oklahoma home reportedly belonging to an NBA superstar, in what may be the latest in a wave of high-profile burglaries targeting the nation's premier athletes.
The burglary occurred while the Thunder were competing in a home game against the Washington Wizards.
"The suspects fled the area prior to police arrival," police said in a statement. "While no arrests have been made, there is no reason to believe the public is in any danger."
The Nichols Hills Police did not immediately respond to questions from NTD News when contacted Saturday. The Thunder referred questions to the police, who did not confirm if any items were stolen from the home, or who lived in the residence.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was targeted while he was in Dallas for a Monday Night Football game in December. A group of Chilean men were charged in connection with that break-in, accused of stealing nearly $300,000 worth of designer luggage, watches, and jewelry.
The pattern reflects what law enforcement has described as a coordinated criminal enterprise. According to warnings from the FBI and the sports league, organized theft rings linked to South American gangs have been methodically targeting athlete homes during game days when owners are guaranteed to be away. The thieves often get in by smashing through rear windows or using increasingly sophisticated tactics.
Some crews have posed as delivery drivers or maintenance workers to infiltrate gated communities, while others have deployed drones and signal jamming devices to disable security systems, according to warnings issued by both the NFL and NBA.
In response, the NBA issued a memo to teams in November 2024 with security recommendations. The league urged players to install updated alarm systems with cameras, store valuables in locked safes, remove online real estate listings showing interior photos, hire protective services during long absences, and consider using dogs for home protection.
The thieves' focus on items with black-market value—jewelry, luxury watches, designer bags, and cash—has fueled the surge in burglaries. Some stolen goods have ended up in storage units in New Jersey and at pawnshops in Manhattan's Diamond District.