Andrew Bogut issues blunt advice for Josh Giddey amid NBA investigation

Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has delivered a hard truth to young star Josh Giddey amid his ongoing NBA investigation.

Andrew Bogut on Josh Giddey saga

Australian basketball legend Andrew Bogut has delivered a hard truth to young star Josh Giddey amid his ongoing NBA investigation.

The NBA is looking into allegations levelled at the 21-year-old Australian basketball star that he had an inappropriate relationship with a young woman.

The allegations first arose via an anonymous social media post last Thursday, which has since been deleted.

Giddey is set to remain in the starting line-up for the Thunder who return to action on Wednesday when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Bogut has now spoken out about the situation for the first time.

“It’s just an absolute s***show as it is on social media. The damage has been done to his PR regardless of what the result is.

“We’ve had trial by media over the last 30 years and now trial by social media is probably a hundred times worse.

“It’s just a messy situation. Josh hopefully learns a life lesson from this regardless of where it goes.”

One of the images that went viral of Giddey.

Bogut says the “damage has been done” for Giddey. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

Bogut, who was taken with the first overall pick in the 2005 draft and spent 14 seasons in the NBA, says the Aussie youngster must “tighten his circle”.

“Whenever you’re toeing that line, you’re flirting with danger, and that’s where I think Josh has messed up,” he said.

Regardless of what comes out in the next week or two … all the memes and all this sh*t now, that’s going to be there forever. It’s hard to take it back on social media.

“It’s just a sh***y situation for everyone involved, even the girl, she’s getting slut-shamed and all that kind of stuff.

“It’s a valuable lesson of social media and not posting stuff on social media.”

He went on to say: “It’s a valuable lesson for Josh. He’s got to tighten his circle and calm down on those social activities that he does outside of basketball and focus on that because he’s only in this thing for 10 or 15 years.

“From what I understand and knew, he’s never been a guy that’s gotten in trouble or knowingly wanted to go out and be silly. This is a valuable lesson for him.”

Josh Giddey speaks to media after social media video of the basketballer go viral. Source: Twitter

Bogut says Giddey will learn a valuable lesson from it all. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

The ongoing investigation has seen Weet-Bix remove all traces of Giddey from their social media channels.

The six-foot-eight point guard currently has an ambassador deal to promote the iconic breakfast cereal but can no longer be found on social media accounts promoting the product.

Sanitarium moved to explain why images of the Aussie star were removed from all posts on Monday night.

“We know how hard negative social media comments can be for anyone, especially for young athletes,” the statement provided to Code Sports read.

“We removed promotional assets featuring Josh Giddey from our own channels out of a desire to minimise opportunities for negative commentary towards Josh while the NBA is looking into the current situation.

“It was not a precursor to any decisions on Josh’s contract as a Weet-Bix ambassador. We are still in contact with Josh’s management team and awaiting on the facts surrounding this matter.”