Giddey cleared of inappropriate relationship

Australian NBA star Josh Giddey has escaped charges stemming from a police investigation into whether he had an improper relationship with an underage girl after police found no evidence corroborating allegations made in social media posts.

Newport Beach police confirmed the investigation, which was launched last November after the emergence of videos on social media including X, had been closed and no action taken against the 21-year-old.

“After a thorough and exhaustive examination, we have completed our investigation in to information that was circulating on social media involving Josh Giddey,” a statement from the police said.

“OUr detectives have reviewed all the the available information and were unable to corroborate any criminal activity related to Mr Giddey.

Giddey was the centre of serious allegations made on social media with photos and videos showing him interacting with a girl believed to be a high school junior at the time.

While he continued playing for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the NBA announced it would look into the claims, but commissioner Adam Silver said the league would take a “back seat” to the police investigation.

It’s understood the pair had connected at a nightclub, leading the NBA star to assume she was over 18, before allegations in the social media posts that she was only 16. Goddey was 19 at the time.

The Australian was booed and jeered at NBA games in the aftermath of the allegations being made, which Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian, who visited Giddey last year, said made him “squirm”.

The family of the girl at the centre of the claims hired prominent lawyer Gloria Allred but were unwilling to co-operate with investigators.

Giddey did not publicly addressed the allegations at any time but played on with the support of his team and its coaching staff.