The FBI is warning sports leagues about crime organizations from South America targeting professional athletes following a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent NFL and NBA players.
The athletes’ homes are targeted due to the perception they may contain high-end goods like designer handbags, jewelry, watches and cash, the FBI said in a Liaison Information Report obtained by ABC News.
The NFL and NBA already have issued security alerts to their players after the break-ins, some of which have come when players were away with their teams for road games. The NFL’s alert says homes of pro athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.”
Luka Doncic of the Mavericks is the latest pro athlete whose home has been burglarized.
NFL quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes of the Chiefs and Joe Burrow of the Bengals, along with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, have been victims, as have NBA players Bobby Portis of the Bucks and Mike Conley Jr. of the Timberwolves.
NBA: The Grizzlies announced that two-time All-Star PG Ja Morant has a sprained right shoulder and will be considered week to week. Morant was hurt Friday when he crashed into a hard screen set by Daniel Theis during the Grizzlies’ 132-124 victory against the Pelicans. Morant was limited to nine games last season with a torn labrum in the same shoulder. The 25-year-old is averaging 21.2 points per game. ... Josh Hart had 23 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists for his third triple-double of the season, Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 13 rebounds, and the Knicks beat the host Wizards 126-106 for their eighth straight victory.