The NBA is urging players to enhance home security after recent burglaries targeting the homes of star athletes. The league issued a memo to team officials stating that the FBI has connected some burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups". These groups are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis’ home was broken into on November 2 and has offered a $40,000 reward for information related to the incident, as they took most of his “prized possessions”. Jewellery was stolen from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr’s home on September 15 when he was at a Minnesota Vikings game. “Obviously, it's frustrating, disappointing, but I can't get into too many of the details because the investigation is still ongoing…But, obviously, something you don't want to happen to anybody, but obviously yourself,” said Mike Conley Jr. The homes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into within days of each other in October, according to law enforcement reports. The NFL issued a similar warning memo to its teams following a briefing from the FBI alongside other professional sports leagues. The FBI said the theft rings "are primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags”. The NBA has advised players to use alarm systems, secure valuables, remove home interior photos online, employ security guards during trips, and consider dogs for protection.
