Jun 16

Jun 16 NBA Catwatch: One Man's Quest To Find All The Cat Owners Of The NBA

In the words of Alex, creator of NBA Catwatch: "There's just something interesting about a ... a seven-foot man leaning down to clean the litter box." Ahh, NBA players - they're just like us!

NBA Catwatch is the project of a basketball fan whose goal is to locate and record every cat owner of the NBA. Or, as the website's tagline explains:

Of course, any basketball fan worth his or her salt would know that this catchphrase is a punny play on words of the NBA's iconic slogan, "Where Amazing Happens," but TBH we're not totally sure there's a huge intersection of cat lovers and basketball fans so we thought we should explain. Anywhoo.

ESPN's E:60 will take a look behind the scenes at NBA Catwatch on this Sunday's, June 18, 2017 broadcast. They'll talk with the man behind the project, 35-year old "Alex," who has so far amassed a list of 25 cats owned by current (or recent) players in the NBA. Research is an ongoing process - according to the website, he is currently researching the New Orleans Pelicans. Here are a few of the gems the website has unearthed:

Mister Quackers with owner Russ Smith / Image Credit: ESPN

Mr. Quackers and Miss Meow with owner Russ Smith / Image Credit: ESPN

Raja the cat with owner JaVale McGee / Image Credit: ESPN

And also in the mix - Prince Edward Zephyr and Poupin the cat, whose "catfight" scandal we previously reported on!

Poupin the cat (owner Brook Lopez not pictured) / Image Credit: ESPN

Prince Edward the cat with owner Robin Lopez / Image Credit: ESPN

And, check out these sandals that Robin Lopez had custom made to feature Prince Edward Zephyr:

OK, so we've gotta meet this guy. / Image Credit: ESPN

The website divides the directory up into: "NBA Cat List," an actively growing list of cats owned by players, and "Team Reports," a list of divisions and their respective teams. Teams that have been researched are hotlinked and individual players are noted as "contacted" or "not yet contacted," with press items that show their like/dislike of cats and any clues to their status of "cat ownership":

Image Credit: Screenshot from NBACatwatch.com

You can also purchase NBA Catwatch t-shirts on the site. Sales from the shirts are donated to animal shelters all around the US, and so far over $14,000 has been donated.

Catch ESPN E:60's live broadcast this Sunday, June 18 at 9 AM EST and help Alex add to the list if you know of any NBA players who are cat owners/lovers.

Who's your favorite cat-loving NBA player?