Josh Giddey of Oklahoma City will not face criminal charges regarding the alleged relationship with a minor, as confirmed by the Newport Beach Police Department on Wednesday.
In their official statement, the Newport Beach PD explained that, following an extensive examination, they concluded their investigation into the social media-driven allegations against the 21-year-old Giddey. The police could not find evidence to substantiate any criminal activity related to Mr. Giddey. The Newport Beach Police Department emphasized its commitment to providing accurate information to the public while ensuring the rights of all parties involved.
The investigation began in November after social media posts featuring images and videos of Giddey with the purported victim gained widespread attention. The NBA announced its intention to investigate the allegations, and the Newport Beach Police Department initiated its own inquiry into the incident that was reported to have occurred in Newport Beach, California.
While Giddey has been cleared of criminal charges, he may still face disciplinary action from the NBA. It is noteworthy that players do not necessarily need to be criminally charged to receive fines or suspensions. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, in December, indicated that the league would defer to the police investigation and refrain from suspending Giddey based solely on allegations:
“In this case, we have an allegation, and then you have a police investigation and then a parallel league investigation. I also add that, where there is a criminal investigation, we take a back seat … that impacts how the players and players’ association can work with us because, of course, the player needs to protect his rights.”
Throughout the process, Josh Giddey of Oklahoma City have chosen not to provide detailed comments on the allegations, acknowledging the significant public interest surrounding the situation.
Despite the ongoing scrutiny, the Thunder have continued to include Giddey in their lineup. The former No. 6 overall pick, however, has experienced a decline in performance compared to last season, contributing to a 27-13 start for the Thunder. In 39 games, all as a starter, Giddey is recording career lows in points (11.8), rebounds (6.1), assists (4.8), and minutes (24.8) per game
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