- Thunder star, 21, accused of improper relationship
- California police refused to pursue charges
- Giddey was never suspended over accusations
The NBA has ended its investigation into Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey for an alleged inappropriate relationship with an underage girl, ESPN has reported.
Police in Newport Beach, California, announced in January they wouldn’t pursue charges, saying they were ‘unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr Giddey’.
Now the NBA, having conducted its own investigation, has also decided the same, according to Thursday’s report.
The 21-year-old, who is bound for the Paris Olympics with Australia’s Boomers national team, was not suspended during the police inquiry.
The NBA’s investigation into the allegations against Giddey has reportedly been dropped four months after Californian police decided not to pursue charges against him
The Thunder star (pictured playing against Dallas earlier this month) allegedly had an improper relationship with a minor he met in a nightclub in 2021
Giddey has not commented about the allegations and has continued to play for the Thunder during their run to the Western Conference semi-finals.
Newport police closed the case when they could not find corroborating evidence.
‘After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completely closed our investigation into the information that5 was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey,’ they said in a statement.
‘Our detectives have reviewed all of the available information and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr Giddey. The Newport Beach Police Department is committed to ensuring accurate information is disseminated to the public, while also ensuring the rights of all those involved.’
Last December, it was reported that the teenage girl at the center of the claims was refusing to cooperate with police as they looked into the case.
Photos and videos appeared on social media showing Giddey with the underage girl but, according to reports in his native Australia, the incident happened over two years ago.
Giddey was booed and jeered by crowds at the height of the scandal
The Thunder guard believed the teen was 19 when they met at a nightclub in 2021.
Giddey struggled to contain his emotions when he discussed his scandal-plagued season after the Thunder were knocked out of the playoffs by Dallas on May 18.
The Aussie was booed and jeered at games in the wake of the unfounded allegations and his form dipped before he had a late-season surge.
Giddey was emotional and fought back tears when discussing the mental toll that this season has taken on him.
‘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.
The Aussie struggled to make Oklahoma’s starting team due to the strong form of his teammates, adding to a season that left him very emotional after the Thunder’s playoffs exit
‘That’s for anyone not just me. You have a couple bad games, you start to get in your own head, maybe you lose confidence — whatever the case may be.
‘But for me, I’ve just tried to stay within the team as much as I can this year and that’s been the thing for me that I found that’s worked the best. When you come in every day, you get amongst the team and you stay within the group and that’s what cheers guys up and that’s what gets you back on the right path.
‘I’m really lucky to have good people around me. They really care and really are there for you and there’s definitely been days and stretches this year that have been tough.
‘It’s not a secret. But I just tried to come in every day and be the best I could and be the best teammate I could.’
He also bravely admitted there were ‘days where you don’t feel like getting out of bed’.
