Aussie NBA star Josh Giddey’s case has taken a major turn with an announcement a high-profile American lawyer is now involved.
It comes as new details about the situation emerged this weekend with reports the alleged encounter between Giddey and a girl 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. Police have not laid any charges in the matter.
The allegations first arose via an anonymous social media post last month, 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.
The article stated that the female’s family has remorse about the situation and the impact it is having on Giddey and his career.
Giddey has been below his best this season and was even booed by his home fans last week.
The teenager’s family has reportedly been reluctant to co-operate with police.
The situation has now taken another twist with the family linking up with lawyer Gloria Allred, a powerful women’s rights lawyer.
Allred has made headlines for her roles in previous high profile cases surrounding women’s rights and her Allred, Marko and Goldberg firm claims she handles more women’s rights cases than any other private practice in the United States.
“I confirm that I do represent the family, and we have no comment,” she said in a statement.
Allred has been described as a “pitbull lawyer” when TMZ first reported her involvement with the teenager’s family.
Part of the NBA investigation will reportedly centre on how the videos were leaked to social media.
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.
— For more detail on how the saga unfolded, read the full story on CODE Sports