Former Knicks forward Cleanthony Early very randomly gets featured on 'Jeopardy!'

Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News on Nov 21, 2025

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NEW YORK — It doesn’t get more random than this.

Former Knicks forward Cleanthony Early was the subject of a category on Thursday’s episode of “Jeopardy!”

Seriously.

More specifically, five questions fell under the billing of “International Hoops Terms with Cleanthony Early,” which alluded to Early’s globe-trotting post-NBA basketball career.

“With Al Arabi club Doha, Cleanthony could execute hat wo kod, this two-part play also used in soccer: Pass, move, get the ball back,” read the $800 question.

That answer was “give-and-go.”

“Sure, Mr. Early went off for 56 points in a 2022 game with the TaiwanBeer HeroBears, but Cle also dished out seven zhugong, or these,” asked the $200 question.

That answer was “assists.”

Contestant Harrison Whitaker, who was appearing on his eighth episode, answered four of the five questions correctly.

Early, who was born in the Bronx, was part of the 2014 Wichita State team that won its first 35 games.

The Knicks drafted Early later that year, and he played two seasons with the team, averaging 4.3 points, 2.2 rebounds and 14.3 minutes per game over 56 appearances, including nine starts.

Those proved to be his only NBA appearances, but since 2017, Early has played professionally in countries including Greece, France, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Lebanon and, currently, Qatar.

Early reacted to his out-of-the-blue inclusion on “Jeopardy!” by sharing a screen shot of the game show’s board on his Instagram story.