Josh Giddey’s shock link to Bondi terror attack as NBA star sends tribute to Australia
A link between Josh Giddey and the Bondi attack has emerged, with the Chicago Bull joining the sporting world in paying tribute to the victims.
The sporting world has reacted to the Bondi massacre, with NBA star Josh Giddey sending tributes to Australia, while his agent’s family also got caught up in the shocking scenes.
The world has been left shellshocked by the horrific incident at the iconic Sydney venue, which left 16 people dead and another 27 in hospital after a father and son opened fire at a Jewish Hanukkah event.
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Victorian Giddey, a star playmaker for the Chicago Bulls, posted two Instagram stories around 4am AEDT related to the tragic events.
The first was a re-post of Aaron Moldovan, the brother of Giddey’s agent Daniel Moldovan, who left his house nearby to help victims (see the video below).
Covered in blood, Moldovan was interviewed on Sky News, explaining there was still an active shooter when he arrived on the scene.
Once the shooting had ended, Moldovan – who had been celebrating the start of Hanukkah with his pregnant wife and family prior to the shooting – then bravely left his house to help.
Giddey’s second Instagram story showed the now infamous footage of Ahmed Fatih Al-Ahmed running to disarm one of the shooters, adding a caption “hero” with the folded hands emoji.
The 23-year-old Aussie also put messages of support on his game-worn sneakers, writing “Australia” with a love heart on his left shoe and “Bondi” with another heart on his right.
KJ Johnson, the Bulls’ sideline reporter, spoke about the tribute from Giddey and the team, which also included the shooting at Brown University that left two dead and nine more injured.
“The Bulls held a pre-game moment of silence for the shooting victims in the tragedies at both Brown University and at the Hanukkah festival in Sydney, Australia,” Johnson said in the first quarter of the game.
“Obviously Josh Giddey, a native of Melbourne, Australia, has deep roots to that country.
“You see there on his shoes, he wrote ‘Australia’ with the heart in support of that awful tragedy.
“Josh Giddey’s father played professionally in Australia for many, many years, Josh is a member of the national team, competed at the Paris Olympics.
“His love for his country runs deep and obviously he’s just trying to do his small part for a senseless tragedy that took place there.”
Meanwhile, England cricket legend Michael Vaughan was caught up in the chaos at Bondi.
As shots rang out across the iconic beach, hundreds of people ran for their lives while others were locked inside shops and restaurants as gunshots continued to go off.
Vaughan was at a nearby restaurant when the shooting began and wrote about his experience on X on Sunday evening.
“Being locked in a restaurant in Bondi was scary. Now home safe,” he wrote.
“But thanks so much to the emergency services and the guy who confronted the terrorist.
“Thoughts with all who have been affected.”
Vaughan has regularly travelled to Australia for his cricket commentary commitments and frequents the Bondi and Coogee areas in between covering Tests for Fox Cricket.
He also shared a picture of the front page of The Daily Telegraph on Monday, with the headline: “You bastards.”
Speaking with Piers Morgan about the incident, Vaughan said he initially thought it was a shark attack before being informed it was far more sinister.
“I presumed it was a shark attack … I didn’t expect what I found out a few minutes later,” Vaughan told Morgan.
“A security guard outside the pub told us there was someone with a gun and people were being held hostage.
“We all got told to get inside the restaurant and news filtered in that there had been an attack on the beach but we didn’t know what that meant at that time.
“After it was (clear it was) a terrorist attack, they locked the door and told us to stay. For a period we didn’t know what was going on and we were locked inside this restaurant.”
The former England skipper was just one of many sports stars, clubs and organisations to speak out following the horrific terrorist attack.
Aussie opener Usman Khawaja shared his heartbreak over what unfolded.
“Truly devastating news from Bondi. Lives lost senselessly, families shattered, the Bondi community traumatised. There are no words – only heartbreak. My thoughts and prayers to all affected,” he wrote.
Australia’s first indigenous Australian to win a gold medal, Nova Peris, labelled the massacre “an attack on Australia”.
“This is not just an attack on Jewish people. It is an attack on Australia, on our values, and on who we claim to be as a nation.
“The rise of antisemitism in this country is beyond a national tragedy and a freaking disgrace!
“Jewish Australians have been pleading for support, for protection, and for action and today it is painfully clear that those calls have not been heard loudly enough. I am beyond sickened by what has unfolded.
“I stand with the Jewish community today, on Hanukkah, and always. Light must not be allowed to be extinguished by hate.”
The AFL released a statement on Monday afternoon, attributed to chief executive Andrew Dillon and AFL Chairman Richard Goyder.
“Our hearts are with all those affected by the tragic events in Bondi yesterday,” it read in part.
“On behalf of the AFL, we extend our deepest condolences to the victims of this targeted attack and their loved ones.
“This is a time to come together to grieve, to support one another, and to stand with our Jewish colleagues and friends.
“Every person in our country has the right to celebrate their faith in peace and safety, including our Jewish community.
“We also acknowledge the first responders and the brave civilians who stepped towards danger to protect others.”
UFC fighter Justin Tafa paid tribute to Al-Ahmed, the brave local man who wrestled a gun away from one of the terrorists.
“What a legend. Praying for Bondi victims,” he said.
Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen also spoke of how shocked he was by what had unfolded.
“Bondi – my goodness! I cannot believe what I’m seeing. Shocking,” he said,
“The video of the hero disarming the monster is quite unreal! To EVERYONE who’s been affected by this disgraceful act, thoughts with all!
“Australia is the most amazing country, and this DOES NOT need to happen!”
England’s Barmy Army wrote: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events at Bondi Beach. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and everyone affected by this horrific incident.
“Bondi holds special memories for many England supporters who have visited over the years.
“To see such violence in a place known for joy and community is heartbreaking.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia at this incredibly difficult time.”
English football giant Tottenham Hotspur also sent a message following the horrific event.
“Given today’s horrific events in Sydney, we recognise wishing our Jewish fans a happy Hanukkah may seem hollow at this incredibly difficult moment,” Tottenham said in a statement.
“The story of Hanukkah reminds us that even in darkness, we can find the light. We stand alongside our Jewish communities and pray for peace and unity across the world, while sending our deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones”
Manchester United also shared a touching message.
“The festival of Chanukah would usually be a moment of celebration and light for our Jewish fans and their communities around the world,” United said in a statement.
“After today’s appalling terrorist attack in Sydney, it has become a far more sombre occasion.
“Our thoughts are with those immediately affected in Sydney. We stand with them, as we do with the Jewish community in Manchester, following the events at Heaton Park Synagogue earlier this year, and those around the world who are marking Chanukah.”
Australian sporting world rocked by Bondi terrorist attack
Each professional sporting match Down Under this week is expected to feature some form of tribute to the victims of the Bondi terrorist attack, starting with Monday night’s Big Bash game between the Renegades and Heat in Geelong.
The Sydney Sixers are also working out details for a tribute on Wednesday night when they host their next match at the SCG, just a 12-minute drive from Bondi Beach.
The Roosters, a club with close ties to the Bondi community, also wrote: “The Sydney Roosters are deeply saddened by the tragic events that unfolded at Bondi Beach yesterday.
“Bondi Beach is an iconic place for our city and our community, and this targeted attack on the first night of Chanukah is devastating.
“Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, the Jewish community and everyone affected.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the first responders and emergency service personnel whose bravery, professionalism, and swift action made a crucial difference under extraordinarily challenging circumstances.
“No community in this country should live in fear.”
Meanwhile, press events across the country have been cancelled today.
Cricket NSW, the St George Illawarra Dragons, AFL champions the Brisbane Lions and even the Tim Tszyu and Anthony Velazquez had planned press conferences that were all cancelled.
In a statement explaining the decision to cancel their press event, the Lions said: “Out of respect due to yesterday’s tragic Bondi Beach shootings, we have made the call as a club not to proceed with today’s planned media opportunity.
“Our thoughts go out to all those involved in the shootings and hope that none of you or your loved ones are impacted.”
Originally published as Josh Giddey’s shock link to Bondi terror attack as NBA star sends tribute to Australia
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