The NBA closed its investigation into Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey, stemming from allegations that the 21-year-old previously engaged in a relationship with a minor.
Giddey did not miss any time related to the NBA’s investigation, playing with OKC until it was handed a semifinal loss by the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference playoffs last week.
PHOENIX – Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball at the Footprint Center on December 23, 2021. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The league's decision, announced Thursday, reflects the evidence (or lack thereof) Newport Beach police used to exonerate Guidi. Police, who first began their investigation last year and closed it in January, said they found no corroborating evidence that Guidi had been involved with a minor. Rumors first appeared on social media, where photos emerged of Guidi with a young, blonde woman. After a three-month investigation, the NBPD decided to exonerate Guidi.
“After conducting a thorough and exhaustive investigation, we have completed our investigation into information circulating on social media regarding Josh Giddy,” the police department statement said.
“Our detectives have reviewed all available information and have been unable to identify any criminal activity relating to Mr. Giddy.”
Photos of Guidi with a young woman circulated in November. Details of Guidi's encounter with the young woman in Southern California say the Oklahoma City rising star believed the woman to be 19 after meeting her at an 18-and-over nightclub.
Giddy then allegedly found out she was underage and cut off contact with her, and she subsequently refused to cooperate with Newport Beach police.
In his exit interview, Guidi nearly exploded with emotion as he spoke about a difficult season marred by off-court controversy.
“This was probably the biggest challenge I've ever had for a couple of reasons, obviously,” Giddy said.
“I think the mental side of things is the most overlooked part of any player. You see what's going on on the court, but you don't see what's going on behind the scenes and there's a lot more to being a person than basketball.”
Oklahoma City kept Guidi on the team amid early-season controversy, and the team and coach Mark Dainneault were confident in their support for Guidi.
“That's the decision we've made based on the information we have at the moment,” the coach said in defence of his young player.
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