‘We are looking into it’: Giddey investigated by NBA over alleged inappropriate behaviour

The NBA is looking into allegations of inappropriate behaviour by Australian basketball star Josh Giddey, with the Oklahoma City Thunder guard under investigation over an online video alleging an inappropriate relationship with a minor.

In a since-deleted post, an anonymous social media user said a girl who is seen with Giddey in videos and photographs was a high school junior at the time. The social media account has since been deactivated.

Australian NBA star Josh Giddey.Credit: Getty Images

“We are looking into it,” NBA spokesman Michael Bass confirmed to this masthead on Saturday.

A Basketball Australia spokeswoman said the sport’s governing body had contacted the Giddey camp, and was monitoring the situation. Giddey, who shone at the recent FIBA World Cup as part of the Australian team, is a key member of the Boomers’ Paris Olympics campaign.

The investigation was first reported by ESPN and The Athletic.

The Washington Post reported that the age of consent in Oklahoma is 16. Giddey is 21.

Giddey, one of Australia’s highest-profile athletes on the global stage, addressed the allegations in an interview after the Thunder’s practice on Friday (US time).

“I understand the question, obviously, but there’s no further comment right now,” Giddey said.

When asked about the matter again, Giddey replied: “I get the question guys. I completely understand you guys wanna know about it. But just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”

Thunder coach Mark Daigneault also refused to be drawn on the matter.

“A personal matter and I have no comment on it. And that will be my answer on anything related,” he said.

Giddey’s manager Daniel Moldovan was contacted for comment.

The Thunder are set to face the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday morning (AEDT), but it’s unclear if Giddey will play.

Giddey turned comments off on his Instagram account, which has 514,000 followers, after his name started trending on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday.

The slick passing point guard is in his third season in the NBA. After an excellent first two seasons, his output has slipped. His points per game, assists and rebounds are lower than his rookie season, coming on a deep Thunder roster that shapes as a legitimate championship contender.

Through 15 games, he is averaging 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. He has one season remaining on his four-year, $US27 million ($42 million) rookie contract, and remains in line for a $300m mega contract extension, edging Ben Simmons’ $275m deal as the richest contract signed by an Australian NBA player.

The Post also reported that in Major League Baseball, Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was placed on administrative leave in August following allegations that he was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a minor in the Dominican Republic. Franco is being investigated by Dominican police and the MLB’s internal investigations unit.

With AP

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