June 5, 2026 Back Home

Inside the NBA’s Secret Society of Cat Dads

There’s a KAT playing in the NBA Finals, but the real story is the league’s growing, undercover roster of die-hard cat dads.

When you think of professional basketball players, like those competing in the NBA Finals, what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Aside from the athleticism and talent, it’s fair to assume that many of these multimillionaire ball players also sport high-end clothing, luxury cars, watches, mansions and more.

But what about cats?

What might be the best-kept secret in professional sports is that some of the NBA’s most cold-blooded competitors are actually unapologetic, elite-level cat dads.

And yes, they even appear to have a secret cat-loving society.

Poole, an admittedly proud cat dad of three says he’s been actively trying to convert his peers.

His ultimate pitch to high-performing athletes who desperately need their rest? Cats don’t need to be walked three times a day. You can get your eight hours of beauty rest, and they’ll still love you (or at least tolerate you).

Poole even claimed he “may or may not” have successfully convinced NBA superstar Steph Curry to get a feline companion. Swish!

[WP] Jordan Poole says he’s recruiting new members to his Secret Society of NBA Cat Dads: “I may or may not have convinced [Steph Curry] to get a cat… It’s sort of a cool community. Like a cool cat community. We just kind of keep it in-house. You’ve got to knock a couple times for us to let you in.
by u/Parv21 in warriors

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The Roster: The NBA’s “All-Feline” First Team

More than a one-man show, you can actually assemble a decent starting five of feline-loving ball players.

Player	Team	Cat Dad Credentials
Jordan Poole	New Orleans Pelicans	Helped convince a former teammate (Tristan Vukcevic) to adopt a cat.
Myles Turner	Indiana Pacers	A 6’11” shot-blocking menace who actively wears cat shirts and is rumored to love felines.
Jarrett Allen	Cleveland Cavaliers	Another shot-blocking baller who also wears his cats on his clothes!
Rudy Gobert	Minnesota Timberwolves	A multi-time Defensive Player of the Year and proud dad of Ace and Link.
Keyonte George	Utah Jazz	His love for cats is written in his team’s introductory post on Instagram.
Kel’el Ware	Miami Heat	Bringing the big-man cat energy to South Beach after adopting a cat named Lykos.

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Why a Cat is the Perfect companion for an nba player

Think about it: the lifestyle of an NBA player actually perfectly aligns with owning a cat.

• Road Trip Ready: When players go on a grueling four-game road trip, dogs need a high-end boarding hotel. Cats? Set up a massive automated feeder, set up the smart litter box, and they won’t even notice you’re gone. In fact, they might prefer it.
• The Judgment: NBA players have millions of adoring fans, but nothing humbles a superstar quite like coming home after a big game and being met with the glare of contempt. It keeps them humble.
• Pre-Game Nap Partners: Cats are the undisputed champions of sleeping. For an athlete trying to lock in before a high-stakes playoff game, there is no better nap companion than a purring machine.
• Back & Forth Bonanza: Fact…cats love watching ball!

@bczalgiris When Zalgiris is playing, even the cats are interested. 🐱💚 #cats #cat #basketball #euroleague #cute ♬ Sneaky Cats – Eitan Epstein Music

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It’s unclear if the Secret Society of NBA Cat Dads has been growing or not.

Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for any subtle signs — like rogue scratches on a forearm of your favorite player, or cat hair all over your MVP’s pre-game fits.