Basketball: Knicks' Cleanthony Early shot and robbed in New York

Cleanthony Early (centre) of the New York Knicks drives to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers at Madison Square Garden in New York in March. PHOTO: AFP

NEW YORK (AFP) - New York Knicks' reserve forward Cleanthony Early was shot in the leg in an apparent robbery after leaving a strip club overnight, reports and officials said Wednesday.

The incident occurred moments after the 24-year-old left the CityScapes Gentlemen's Club in an Uber, according to CBS and the New York Post.

A group of armed and masked men robbed Early after surrounding the Uber with their cars, reportedly robbing him of gold chains and even gold caps on his teeth.

In the process, Early was shot in the leg, according to the reports.

A spokeswoman for the New York Police Department confirmed that a 24-year-old man had been shot in the leg in Queens but declined to name the victim.

"He was transferred to a hospital. No arrests. There is a investigation ongoing," she said.

The New York Knicks posted a short statement on their Twitter account following the incident.

"We are aware of what occurred with Cleanthony Early this morning and are relieved that he is not in a life-threatening situation," the Knicks said.

"We will not comment any further until we receive more information."

Early, a native of the New York borough of the Bronx, is playing his second season for the Knicks.

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