Oklahoma City Thunder player, Josh Giddey has been cleared from facing any charges after authorities launched an investigation into whether or not he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
According to TMZ, the Newport Beach Police Department spoke to the news publication and addressed the investigation that was launched back in November and said the case is officially closed. The report states that officials weren’t able to find any corroborating evidence so the basketball player is officially in the clear.
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As we previously reported, Giddey faced some serious allegations after an anonymous social media user said a girl, who was seen with Giddey in videos and photographs, was a high school junior at the time that the pics were taken. The social media account that originally shared the images has since been deactivated. Giddy has yet to speak on the matter but during a previous press conference he refused to comment on the situation when the situation was at its peak. “I understand the question obviously, but there’s no further comment right now,” Giddey said. “I get the question guys, I completely understand you guys want to know about it. Just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”
Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault also weighed in on the situation when the news first hit that an investigation was being launched. “Still, I have no comment on anything else. Just with the information that we have at this point, that’s the decision that we’ve made. It’s really not even a decision, to be honest with you.” Regarding the investigation, Daigneault added, “It’s obviously a league matter at this point, the ball’s in their court on that.”
Giddey emerged as one of the top prospects in the NBA Global Academy and trained at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. At the Under-18s Championships, Giddey averaged 20 points, 8.3 rebounds, and six assists per game, leading his team VIC Metro to the title. At 18, he signed with the Adelaide 36ers in March 2020.
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Giddey was the nation’s first to be a part of the NBA’s Next Stars program, which helped develop draft prospects and after several record-breaking games, he was released to prepare for the 2021 NBA Draft, finishing the season averaging 10.9 points, and 7.3 rebounds and lead the league with 7.6 assists per game in 28 games played. He was dubbed the NBL Rookie of the Year. On July 29, 2021, Giddey was drafted sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He signed a four-year, $27 million rookie contract.