NY Knicks Forward Cleanthony Early Robbed and Shot After Leaving Queens Strip Club

One could argue that high celebrity status comes with attraction to attacks. It's not uncommon for basketball players to be involved in physical altercations due to various reasons, but this time around a player is actually the victim. According to the New York Daily News, New York Knicks baller Cleanthony Early is the latest victim of an overnight attack that left him shot and robbed in Queens last night while leaving a strip club.

The publication reports that the 24-year-old Knicks forward was shot and robbed by an armed robbery crew minutes after leaving a Queens strip club with his girlfriend.

After enjoying a night out the couple took an Uber home from the CityScapes gentleman's club when three cars appeared out of nowhere and boxed them in. Half a dozen men jumped out of their vehicles and things escalated in a matter of seconds.

How awful! @nyknicks star #CleanthonyEarly was shot & robbed in an @Uber! https://t.co/fwoNTXeXZN pic.twitter.com/G3zIMb1jWV

— Perez Hilton (@PerezHilton) December 30, 2015

The identities of the men are unknown at this time with the assailants were wearing ski masks during the attack and then fled the scene. One man shot Early right in his kneecap which is the same one that required him to take a leave from the league.

The other men proceeded to strip Early of two gold chains, various other pieces of jewelry and even stole caps off the players' teeth. The group of men quickly escaped into the industrial neighborhood without being caught.

Sources informed the publication that the baller and his girlfriend were riding in the back of the car and unable to see the oncoming danger until the attackers stopped their ride.

Early's injuries do not appear to be life threatening and he was transported to Elmhurst Hospital in stable condition.

The Knicks released a statement saying they are fully aware of the shooting and expressed relief that the baller is not in "a life-threatening situation."

The Bronx-born baller is the second Knicks player to be targeted in the past month. Teammate Derrick Williams was out partying before discovering that more than $600,000 worth of jewelry was stolen from his apartment.

While no clear threat has been made publicly against the Knicks players, it's safe to say that some type of security measures needs to be taken to ensure the players' safety.

What do you guys think? Is there a target on Knicks players? Let us know your thoughts down below!