NBA ‘looking into allegations’ levelled against Australian star Josh Giddey

The NBA has launched an investigation after ‘serious allegations’ were made about Boomers and Thunder guard Josh Giddey.

Giddey is a key member of the Thunder and the Australian national team. Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images/AFP

The NBA is looking into allegations of potentially inappropriate behaviour with a minor levelled against Australian basketball star Josh Giddey.

The 21-year-old Oklahoma City guard turned comments off on his Instagram account on Thursday, shortly after his name began trending on X, formerly Twitter, in regards to the allegations.

He was asked about the “serious allegations” that had been levelled and if he had anything to add following the Thunder’s practice session in the early hours of Saturday morning (AEDT).

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

Asked about the matter again, Giddey said: “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.”

Josh Giddey was asked a follow up about the situation: pic.twitter.com/BqkB7uk3DZ

— Rylan Stiles (@Rylan_Stiles) November 24, 2023

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

“Personal matter and I have no comment on it – and that will be my answer on anything related,” Daigneault said.

NBA spokesman Mike Bass confirmed in a comment to news.com.au that the league was investigating the matter.

“We are looking into it,” Bass said.

It’s understood police are not involved at this stage.

News.com.au has also contacted Giddey’s management company Octagon for comment.

The OKC Thunder are set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday morning Australia time, however it’s unclear if Giddey will line up for his team.

The incident started on Thursday when pictures and videos were posted to social media featuring Giddey with a young woman.

One of the images is of a shirtless Giddey standing behind the woman.

There are videos which feature Giddey supposedly talking to the girl’s brother, in which he says: “I’m here with your beautiful sister.

“Good luck for your season. I hear you’re going to Sacramento soon for a game so best of luck. We’re going to come up and watch you take care of business.”

In another video, where she appears to be standing in the background outside a nightclub, Giddey says: “What’s up my man? We’re at the front of the club, me and my girl, about to head back to mine.”

The legal age to attend a nightclub in the United States is 21.

The league is looking into the allegations against Josh Giddey. (Photo by Morgan Hancock/Getty Images)

Giddey, born and raised in Melbourne, burst onto the scene as part of the NBL’s Next Stars program which put him on the radar of NBA scouts.

In April 2021 he became the youngest Australian in NBL history to record a triple-double while playing with the Adelaide 36ers.

His career exploded after he was taken with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Proving his feats in the NBL were no fluke, Giddey became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double on January 2, 2022 when he was just over 19 years old.

His first year in the league saw him claim the Western Conference rookie of the month four times before he succumbed to injury in the later stages of the season.

One of the images shared on social media.

Another image on social media.

His statistical output across the board has taken a dip with his points, rebounding and assist numbers lower than his rookie season.

Through 15 games he has averages of 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. His minutes per game have also taken a slide, coming in at a tick over 27 minutes per game.

Giddey missed out on selection for the Australian Boomers squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, being selected as one of three emergency players.

He represented Australia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup where he finished the tournament with averages of 19.4 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists.

The six-foot-eight guard has endured a tough third season so far, despite the OKC Thunder becoming one of the hottest teams in the league to start the 2023-24 season.

His statistical output across the board has taken a dip with his points, rebounding and assist numbers lower than his rookie season.

Through 15 games he has averages of 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game. His minutes per game have also taken a slide, coming in at a tick over 27 minutes per game.

Originally published as NBA ‘looking into allegations’ levelled against Australian star Josh Giddey