P reported on the 25th (Korea Standard Time) that “the NBA Secretariat announced that it would open an investigation into allegations related to Giddy.”
Earlier this week, photos and videos circulated on social networking services (SNS), raising suspicions that Giddy had an inappropriate relationship with a minor. Controversy erupted when an anonymous figure mentioned that the woman with Giddy was a high school student.
Giddy avoided answering related questions in an interview after the team’s training on the 25th, saying, “I have nothing to say.” Oklahoma City coach Mark Deignalt also said, “I will not comment on personal matters.”
Giddy, born in 2002, was selected by Oklahoma City with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA Rookie Draft. He received the Australian Professional Basketball Rookie of the Year award in 2021 and was selected as a “rising star” at the FIBA World Cup last year.
He recorded 16.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 6.2 assists in the 2022-2023 NBA regular season. This season, he made 12.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists.
Oklahoma City is in the second place in the Western Conference with 11 wins and 4 losses this season. It will play against the Philadelphia 76ers on the 26th. If Giddy is disciplined by the league secretariat, there will be a loss of power. It is unclear whether Giddy, who is currently under investigation, will be able to play against Philadelphia.
The U.S. online media Bleacher Report predicted that “he won’t be able to play during the investigation period,” and Sports Illustrated (SI) said, “So far, there has been no change (to call) regarding Giddy’s participation in the game.”