California Police Investigating Allegations That Thunder’s Josh Giddey Had Relationship with a Minor

Police in Newport Beach said Wednesday that they are "aware of information being circulated online involving an alleged relationship between" Giddey "and a female minor"

Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Authorities in Newport Beach, California are investigating allegations that Oklahoma City Thunder star Josh Giddey had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. "The Newport Beach Police Department is aware of information being circulated online involving an alleged relationship between professional basketball player Josh Giddey and a female minor," the Southern California police department said in a news release late Wednesday [1].

The release continued, "The Newport Beach Police Department is actively seeking additional information related to these allegations and pursuing all leads and evidence to obtain the facts of the case." The news comes days after the NBA announced that it had opened an investigation of its own into the matter regarding the 21-year-old point guard from Australia. Related: NBA Investigating Allegations That Thunder's Josh Giddey Had a Relationship with a Minor: Reports [2]

"We are aware of the report regarding the Newport Beach Police Department's inquiry," NBA spokesman Mike Bass told the Associated Press [3] on Wednesday. "We are continuing to gather information." The allegations against Giddey stem from a since-deleted post last week on social media in which a user said that a girl seen with the athlete was a high school junior.

Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty The account has since been deactivated, according to ESPN [4].

Never miss a story -- sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter [5] to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Both Giddey and Thunder coach Mark Daigneault declined to comment to reporters during a Friday practice. "I understand the question, obviously, but there's no further comment right now," Giddey told reporters [6].

"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," he added after being asked again. Story continues Daigneault, who was asked if he thought Giddey could be "a potential distraction," noted that it was a "personal matter [7]."

"And I have no comment on it," he said. "And that will be my answer on anything related." Both the NBA and Oklahoma City Thunder did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Saturday. Meanwhile on Thursday, reports emerged [8] that Giddey's agent, Daniel Moldovan -- who is considered to be one of Australia's most powerful sports agents -- has been fired from his firm for criticizing on social media a Black Lives Matter post from October in which the organization shared its support for Palestine.

Giddey, who was raised in Melbourne, Australia, was selected sixth overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Thunder. He is averaging 12.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists so far this year in his starting role for the Thunder, who are 11-6 this season. For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter![10]

Read the original article on People [11].

References

^ said in a news release late Wednesday (www.nbpd.org)
^ NBA Investigating Allegations That Thunder's Josh Giddey Had a Relationship with a Minor: Reports (people.com)
^ told the Associated Press (apnews.com)
^ according to ESPN (www.espn.com)
^ PEOPLE's free daily newsletter (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
^ told reporters (www.complex.com)
^ personal matter (www.complex.com)
^ reports emerged (www.foxsports.com.au)
^ Nick Bosa, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Neymar Jr.
Show Off Their Athlete Bods in Spicy SKIMS Campaign (people.com)
^ sign up for our newsletter! (forms.dotdashmeredith.com)
^ People (people.com)