Startling details have emerged in the Josh Giddey saga, with reports the Australian’s alleged encounter with an underage female happened two years ago.
Giddey is under investigation by the Newport Beach Police Department in California and the NBA over allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
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The allegations first arose via an anonymous social media post last Thursday, which has since been deleted, but the incident actually took place right back in his rookie season in 2021, as CODE Sports reports.
According to the article published on Saturday morning, Giddey had a very short relationship with the woman, with suggestions it was a one-night stand.
Giddey was 19 at the time and the report states he believed the girl was the same age, but that she was allegedly 15 and had lied about her age.
“It’s understood the girl lied about her age to gain access to a nightclub, where she interacted with Giddey, which has been confirmed via social media videos,” the report states.
“Multiple sources have confirmed it was a one-night encounter and was ended the next day when Giddey was made aware she was at high school.
“All parties involved thought the situation had been dealt with until about two weeks ago when the 21-year-old NBA star was made aware that videos and photos of the pair together may soon be leaked online.”
The article states that the female’s family has remorse about the situation and the impact it is having on Giddey and his career.
Part of the investigation will centre on how the videos were leaked to social media and the motivation behind them.
The report states the woman’s family are not believed to be associated with the leaking of the photos and videos to social media.
With the woman’s family understood to be reluctant to co-operate with police, a Californian legal experts said that would make any prosecution extremely difficult.
“You don’t see a lot of filings where the age gap is narrow,” Stephen Sitkoff, a defence lawyer who previously prosecuted sex crime cases in California, told CODE Sports.
“They’re the only two who know. If she’s uncooperative, it’s going to be difficult.”
Boomers star Giddey is currently in the third year of a four-year, $41m rookie contract with the Thunder, but could command significantly more in his next contract given his performances to date in the NBA.
The allegations against Giddey emerged when pictures and videos were posted to social media featuring the Australian with a young woman.
One of the images is of a shirtless Giddey standing behind the woman.
There are videos which feature Giddey supposedly talking to the girl’s brother, in which he says: “I’m here with your beautiful sister.
“Good luck for your season. I hear you’re going to Sacramento soon for a game so best of luck. We’re going to come up and watch you take care of business.”
In another video, where she appears to be standing in the background outside a nightclub, Giddey says: “What’s up my man? We’re at the front of the club, me and my girl, about to head back to mine.”
Giddey has only addressed the media once since the posts were made to social media, stating last Saturday: “I understand the question, obviously, but there is no further comment right now.”
Pushed on the matter again, he said: “I get the question guys. I completely understand you guys want to know about it. But, just for right now, I don’t have anything to say.”
Giddey has continued to play for OKC throughout the scandal, featuring in the Thunder starting line-up for every game this season.
He received an extremely hostile reception in his first road game in Minnesota last Wednesday, while a smattering of boos could also be heard when he was introduced before Friday’s win over the Lakers in Oklahoma City.
The young Thunder line-up has opened with an excellent 12-6 record, good for third in the Western Conference standings, although Giddey’s individual averages are all down compared to his career numbers.
While the age of consent in California is 18, someone accused of statutory rape is able to escape conviction if they reasonably believed the alleged victim was an adult.
Criminal defence lawyer Neil Shouse, a former prosecutor, told CODE Sports this could be successfully argued if the other person “claimed and appeared to be over 18”, carried a fake ID showing they were over 18, or was present in an adult venue like a bar or club.
Giddey’s ambassadorial role with cereal giant Weet-Bix was believed to be under threat after the company removed him from its social media posts.
The company has since clarified the move was to limit negative comments towards the young Aussie and no decisions have been made about its association with Giddey.
Former NBA standout and Boomers star Andrew Bogut spoke about the situation on his Rogue Bogues Podcast, claiming his understanding the girl had lied to Giddey about her age.
The outspoken Bogut also felt the allegations would damage Giddey’s reputation, regardless of the final outcome.
“The damage has been done to his PR profile regardless of what the result is,” Bogut said.
“We have had trial by media over the last 30 years, now we have trial by social media, which is 100 times worse.”
For more detail on how this saga unfolded, read the full story on CODE Sports.
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