Oklahoma City Thunder's Josh Giddey faces NBA probe over alleged relationship with minor
OKLAHOMA CITY: A blossoming NBA career has been thrown into turmoil this week as allegations emerge involving Oklahoma City Thunder's 21-year-old guard Josh Giddey.
Images and video circulating on social media suggest the Australian native, who has become a rising star for the Thunder after being selected 6th overall in the 2021 draft, had an inappropriate relationship with a female who may have been underage, as per Daily Mail.
Rising NBA star Josh Giddey faces questions over alleged relationship with minor
Oklahoma City Thunder player Josh Giddey is at the center of an investigation by the NBA over his alleged inappropriate relationship with a minor female. Images and videos emerged on social media in recent days that purport to show the 21-year-old Australian native interacting intimately with the girl.
One image shows a shirtless Giddey standing behind the girl with a caption boasting of a sexual encounter between them. Other posts include a video of someone alleged to be Giddey addressing the girl's brother, as well as another clip outside a nightclub where he refers to having "my girl" with him.
The posts have caused significant controversy given the suggestion the female may be under the age of consent. Neither the time nor locations where the images and footage were captured have been verified.
NBA announces investigation into allegations against Josh Giddey
In response to the public speculation over the posts, NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed that the league has launched an investigation, stating: "The NBA is looking into the allegations of Oklahoma City's Josh Giddey having inappropriate relationship with a minor that have emerged via social media.”
Giddey, who was born and raised in Melbourne, Australia before moving stateside after being drafted 6th overall by the Thunder in 2021, has declined requests to discuss the situation in detail.
“I understand the question obviously, but there’s no further comment right now,” he told media following a practice on Friday when asked about the posts. Pressed further for a response, he added: “I get the question guys, I completely understand you guys want to know about it but just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”
The Thunder organization has also avoided making substantive remarks regarding the posts or investigation. “Personal matter and I have no comment on it,” said head coach Mark Daigneault on Friday. “And that’ll be my answer on anything related.”
Legal age of consent in Oklahoma stands at 16 years old
With both Giddey and his team declining to address the validity of the allegations, attention now centers on the NBA’s efforts to determine key information, including verifying the identity and age of the female and when and where the purported encounters occurred.
The legal age of consent in Oklahoma, where Giddey plays for the Thunder franchise, is 16 years old. Any sexual contact between an adult and a minor below that age would constitute statutory rape under state laws.
Giddey enjoyed a successful rookie season with the Thunder last year and has continued to cement himself as an integral part of the young team’s future plans. He is averaging 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game so far this campaign.
The NBA will likely seek to interview Giddey directly as part of their ongoing investigation into the posts.
Depending on their findings, the league could pursue disciplinary action against him for conduct violations under the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union.