NBA closes investigation into OKC Thunder guard Josh Giddey, per report
The NBA has concluded its investigation into Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, according to a report Thursday from ESPN.
The decision comes months after authorities concluded they weren’t able to find conclusive evidence to pursue charges following his alleged improper relationship with a minor.
The allegations against Giddey, 21, stemmed from a since-deleted social media post in late November.
In January, Newport Beach (California) police released a statement noting its investigation ended with an inability to “corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr. Giddey.” After several more months of the NBA conducting its own investigation, the league has reportedly come to a similar conclusion.
In December — shortly after Newport Beach police announced it would conduct its own investigation — NBA commissioner Adam Silver said the league’s probe would “take a backseat” to that of the authorities.
Through both investigations, Giddey continued to play for the Thunder, playing 90 total games for Oklahoma City this season between the regular season and its Western Conference semifinals run. Giddey refused to comment on the matter on several occasions throughout the season.
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What did the social media posts allege about Josh Giddey?
The since-deleted posts went viral on social media in the early morning hours on Nov. 23 and showed a man who appeared to be Giddey with a female, but it is unknown when the photos and video were taken.
Famed attorney Gloria Allred confirmed Dec. 4 that she was representing the family of the girl Giddey was accused of having an impropriate relationship with.
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What is Josh Giddey's connection to Newport Beach in California?
Giddey has trained in Irvine, California, at a gym near Newport Beach.
He was also twice ticketed for traffic violations in the area in July 2022, according to online court records reviewed by The Oklahoman. Giddey would have been 19 at the time.
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What did Newport Beach Police Department say about Josh Giddey investigation?
The Newport Beach Police Department announced on Jan. 18 it had has closed its investigation on the 21-year-old Giddey.
"After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completed our investigation into information that was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey," the NBPD statement read.
"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 that accurate information is disseminated to the public, while also ensuring the rights of all those involved."
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Who is Josh Giddey?
The Thunder selected Giddey with the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Giddey, 21, was born in Melbourne, Australia, and played for the Adelaide 36ers in the National Basketball League — Australia's top pro league — before joining the Thunder.
The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 6.4 assists in 54 games for OKC in the 2021-22 season, earning NBA All-Rookie second-team honors. He averaged 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists in 76 games last season. He averaged 12.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game this past season in 80 games.
Giddey's sister, Hannah, played college basketball at Oral Roberts in Tulsa before transferring to Southern Nazarene in Bethany before the 2022-23 season.
Hannah Giddey, who is 16 months older than Josh, arrived in Oklahoma one year before her brother.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: NBA closes investigation into Thunder guard Josh Giddey, per report
