Lakers Rookie Adou Thiero’s Stolen SUV Recovered, Two Arrested Including Brother of NFL Star
Los Angeles Lakers forward Adou Thiero found himself in the headlines this week-but not for anything that happened on the court.
The 21-year-old rookie had his SUV stolen over the weekend, and the Los Angeles Police Department has since recovered the vehicle and made two arrests in connection with the incident. One of the suspects?
Samson Nacua, the older brother of Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. The other suspect has been identified as 27-year-old Trey Rose.
According to reports, the two men allegedly accessed Thiero’s vehicle through a valet service and decided to take it for a spin-without the player’s permission. Their joyride ended at One Hotel in West Hollywood, where law enforcement was able to track the SUV using surveillance footage. Deputies moved quickly, and both suspects were taken into custody shortly after.
Thiero, who’s still finding his footing in the NBA, has appeared in just nine games this season for the Lakers. He made a brief splash when he scored his first NBA points, but has otherwise flown under the radar-until now. While the incident is certainly an unexpected twist in his rookie year, it’s important to remember that Thiero is the victim here, caught in a situation that had nothing to do with basketball.
On the court, the Lakers are in the thick of a season that’s had its share of ups and downs. Despite a solid overall record, the front office is reportedly exploring ways to strengthen the roster ahead of the February trade deadline. A player like Herb Jones is on their radar, but the asking price might be more than LA is willing to pay right now.
In the meantime, the Lakers may want to take a closer look at their young talent. Thiero and fellow rookie Dalton Knecht were recently recalled from the South Bay Lakers, the team’s G-League affiliate. With the main roster dealing with injuries and inconsistency, there could be an opening for one of these young guys to carve out a bigger role.
Thiero’s off-court situation is certainly unusual, but the focus will now shift back to basketball as he looks to make his mark in a crowded Lakers rotation. If he can build on the flashes he’s shown in limited minutes, he could prove to be more than just a footnote in this season’s story.