NBA basketballer Josh Giddey has returned to Melbourne

NBA basketballer Josh Giddey has returned to Melbourne after a controversial few months in America.

NBA basketballer Josh Giddey has returned to Melbourne after a controversial few months in the States.

The 21-year-old was seen at Melbourne airport and grabbing a bite at the famous Pantry Café in Brighton.

The 6ft 8in basketballer was hard to miss in a bright pink jumper, grey sweat pants, socks, and sandals.

He was joined by a friend.

Josh Giddey is back in his home town. Picture: Media Mode

Giddey’s appearance in Australia comes after a difficult year for the sportsman.

He was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor, but police ultimately announced he would not face any charges.

An NBA investigation was also quickly closed and Giddey has continued to play, but it was a brutal season for the Australian, who was booed at games in the aftermath.

At this year’s exit interview, Giddey alluded to the toll the incident has taken on his mental health during the season that saw him benched in the NBA playoffs.

“This was probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever gone through for a number of reasons obviously,” Giddey said.

“I think (coping) mentally is the part that gets overlooked the most for any player. It’s so easy for people to see what’s happening on the floor but not see what happens behind the scenes and there’s so much more to a person than basketball.”

Shortly after officials cleared him, it was announced that he had been traded from Oklahoma City to the Chicago Bulls.

Giddey has just played at the Olympics. Picture: Media Mode

Giddey, who was raised in Melbourne, was drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2021. In June, it was announced that he’d be traded for guard Alex Caruso.

The 21-year-old broke his social media silence to mark the milestone and opened up about his time on the team.

Giddey thanked the Thunder for “everything” and expressed his excitement at having the opportunity to play with them.

“I am forever grateful. My brothers, who I got to share the floor with for 3 years. The best group of guys I could’ve imagined. Stuck with me through the very high highs and the very low lows,” he wrote.

“You guys know the real me. I am forever in debt to Oklahoma and no words will do justice to how much the city and the organisation mean to me and my family.”

Giddey said it was ‘heartbreaking’ to lose. Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Giddey has also just finished representing Australia in basketball at the Olympics, playing for the Boomers.

The team was knocked out by Serbia in the quarter-finals. After the game, Giddey shared that he was heartbroken the team lost but ready to return in four years.

“We come up short like that in overtime. It is heartbreaking. It kills me that I have to wait four more years for another chance at this,” he said.

“But, man, I’m so proud of this group. I love this team. Our coaches, our fans, deserved a lot better than this.”