MRI reveals no structural damage in Cleanthony Early’s knee after shooting

Thankfully, Cleanthony Early appears to be on track for a full recovery after a terrifying incident early Wednesday morning.

The second-year Knicks forward was shot once in the knee outside of a Queens nightclub in an apparent robbery.

Luckily, an MRI revealed no structural damage and that Early would not need surgery. The 24-year-old was fortunate that the bullet exited his leg cleanly and did not become lodged. He remains hospitalized in New York and is expected to undergo a cleanup of his knee to avoid infection, per Shams Charania of Yahoo! Sports.

Cleanthony Early's MRI results reveal no structural damage or surgery needed on shot knee, sources tell Yahoo. Clean up to avoid infection.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 30, 2015

Gun shot to Cleanthony Early's right knee went straight through, no bullet lodged, sources tell Y! The Knicks forward remains in hospital.

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 30, 2015

Charania also notes that the Wichita State product is expected to make a full recovery within about two to three months. Early was shot in the same knee that required arthroscopic surgery during his rookie season in 2014-15.

Drafted by the Knicks with the No. 34 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Early has made ten appearances for the team this season, averaging just 3.4 minutes per game.

Image Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Cleanthony Early robbed, shot outside nightclub in New York

New York Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was shot in the leg Wednesday morning outside a nightclub in New York.

According to a report from the New York Daily News, Early was confronted by four to six people wearing ski masks who boxed in his Uber car with three vehicles of their own as he left CityScapes gentlemen’s club in Queens. The assailants took Early’s personal items and jewelry, which included a gold necklace and gold caps for his teeth.

Early was reportedly shot once in the knee cap and taken to a nearby hospital.

The incident with Early, who has appeared in 10 games for the Knicks this season and is averaging less than four minutes per game, is the only the latest involving an NBA player outside a New York nightclub. Atlanta Hawks forward Thabo Sefolosha suffered a broken leg while being arrested (video here) in New York City several months ago. He was later found not guilty of the charges he faced.

Photo: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Cleanthony Early threw down best dunk of NCAA Tournament (GIF)

Those of you who watched the Wichita State-Kentucky game on Sunday witnessed the best game of the 2014 NCAA Tournament thus far. No. 8 seed Kentucky barely advanced to the Sweet 16 with an upset win over the Shockers in a game that also featured some of the best dunks of the tournament. Cleanthony Early owns the top spot.

Early, a Wichita State senior forward, threw down a one-handed slam over Kentucky’s Willie Cauley Stein late in the first half. He was fouled on the play but somehow finished the dunk, opening up a nine-point lead for Wichita State after completing the three-point play. Here’s another angle:

As we know, the lead would not hold. Wichita State got shafted with their incredibly difficult draw in the Midwest region. Having to play a talented team like Kentucky in the round of 32 after going undefeated in the regular season seems bogus. Plays like Early’s dunk remind us how much of a shame it is that the Shockers were sent home early.

GIFs via SB Nation