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1 year ago
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This is the moment Josh Giddey faced the media for the first time since the NBA launched an investigation into allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
The Oklahoma City Thunder rising star, 21, practiced with his teammates as usual on Friday, before stepping up for interviews with reporters.
He was immediately asked about the allegations made against him, with a reporter noting: 'Josh, you went viral over the past couple of days over some pretty serious allegations. I know nothing is concrete there, but is there anything you can say as to that situation?'
In response, the Australian NBA star said: 'Yeah, I mean I understand the question obviously, but, err, there's no further comment right now.'
One reporter then posed a question about the team's defense, before a third reporter returned to the serious allegations and asked a follow-up.
Josh Giddey spoke to the media for the first time on Friday since the allegations surfaced
Giddey was asked about the allegations but batted away the questions and refused comment
Giddey then replied: 'I get the question guys, I completely understand you guys want to know about it but just right now I don't have anything to say.'
The team's head coach Mark Daigneault was also questioned on his star guard and the unsavory allegations, but he too opted against answering.
'Personal matter and I have no comment on it,' he began, before adding, 'and that'll be my answer on anything related.'
Pictures and videos of Giddey with a girl - including one where she boasted about having sex with him - were posted on social media in recent days.
NBA spokesman Mike Bass said on Friday afternoon: 'The NBA is looking into the allegations of Oklahoma City's Josh Giddey having inappropriate relationship with a minor that have emerged via social media.'
In one of the pictures, the girl boasted she had 'just f***ed josh giddey' who was topless
Another pictured shows Giddey with his arm around her body and is captioned 'he says hey'
The NBA is looking into allegations that Giddey had an inappropriate relationship with a minor
Giddey, 21, was selected by the Thunder with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft and he has emerged as one of their key players.
In one of the images posted online, the girl is seen to be bragging about having sex with Giddey.
The picture - in which a shirtless Giddey is stood behind her - is captioned 'just f***ed josh giddey'.
Another shows the Australian player with his arm around her body and is captioned 'he says hey'.
There is also a video of 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 stood 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, 21, was selected by the Thunder with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft
Giddey, pictured arriving for two recent NBA games this week, refused to comment on the matter when asked by reporters on Friday afternoon
It remains unclear both when and where the pictures and videos were taken and how old the girl actually is.
The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16-years-old.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Oklahoma City Thunder for comment.
Giddey and the Thunder are due to play Saturday afternoon against the Philadelphia 76ers, but it is as yet unclear whether the Australian will play a part in the game.
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