Josh Giddey’s Alleged Relationship With a Minor

21-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Giddey is being investigated for being involved in a relationship with a minor.

Giddey was first accused in late November, following the publication of an anonymous social media post including images and videos of a man who appeared to be Giddey and a girl who was reportedly younger than 18. The Newport Beach Police Department indicated it was aware of the post, releasing a statement. “[We] [are] actively seeking additional information related to these allegations and pursuing all leads and evidence to obtain the facts of the case,” the Newport Beach Police Department said.

However, Giddey continues playing professionally amid this investigation because the National Basketball Association (NBA) does not suspend players due to allegations that have yet to be verified. “I can’t think of many circumstances where we’ve suspended a player based on an allegation alone,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. Seeing Giddey continue his on-court career has angered many, prompting many negative responses from fans. When the Thunder visited Minnesota, Houston, and Dallas, Giddey was greeted with boos. 

Giddey’s investigation has also raised confusion around the NBA about how players suspected of wrongdoing are disciplined — or not. Giddey is a young white male, who has been given little to no punishment for his allegations of his involvement with a minor. However, black athletes received significant punishments for similar crimes. Kevin Porter Jr., previously a guard for the Houston Rockets, faced legal trouble in September, charged with assaulting his girlfriend, former WNBA player Kysre Gondrezick. Although one charge against Porter was dropped, he still faces two others and maintains a not-guilty plea. The Rockets banned him from team activities, and he was later traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in October, who promptly waived him. Gondrezick denies the assault allegations.  Both the Rockets and the Thunder swiftly distanced themselves from Porter following his arrest. Giddey’s situation has raised the question of whether he is being protected by the group he plays for. The Thunder had the option to keep Giddey off the court or on the bench while his legal situation was resolved. Porter, on the other hand, had a more troubled connection with the teams he played for, which contributed to his harsher treatment.

Many are angered with the NBA as they are inconsistent with their punishments and are allowing a man who was allegedly knowingly in a sexual relationship with a minor. They believe that the league must do what it can to show that it takes allegations of violence against women—and the sexual exploitation of women—seriously.