Joshua James Giddey is an Australian professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Drafted sixth overall in 2021, he holds the record for the youngest player to achieve a triple-double in the NBA at the age of 19 years and 84 days. Giddey also became the first rookie since Oscar Robertson in 1961 to achieve three consecutive triple-doubles.
Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson set a record in 1961 by achieving three consecutive triple-doubles, a feat unmatched for a significant period.
Josh Giddey was born on October 10, 2002.
In 2013, Ben Simmons marked a significant moment by becoming the youngest player at the time to represent the senior Australian national basketball team.
In April 2019, Josh Giddey led VIC Metro to victory at the Australian Under-18 Championships, averaging an impressive 20 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 6 assists per game.
Giddey played a key role in leading Australia to a gold medal victory at the 2019 FIBA Under-17 Oceania Championship in New Caledonia. He earned a spot on the All-Star Five for his outstanding performance, averaging 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and five assists per game.
Josh Giddey led the NBA Global Academy to win the Torneo Junior Ciutat de L'Hospitalet in Barcelona in January 2020, where he was recognized as the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In February 2020, at the age of 17, Giddey achieved a significant milestone by making his debut for the senior Australian national basketball team. This event occurred during the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification, where he contributed 11 points, six assists, and three rebounds in a game against Hong Kong.
In March 2020, Josh Giddey made a significant decision by signing with the Adelaide 36ers of the National Basketball League (NBL). He joined as part of the league's Next Stars program, a platform designed to nurture NBA prospects, becoming the first Australian player to participate in the program.
Despite being one of the final cuts from the main roster for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Giddey received recognition for his talent and potential and was selected as one of three emergency players for the Australian basketball team.
Josh Giddey, on April 26, 2021, achieved a significant milestone by becoming the youngest Australian in NBL history to record a triple-double. He recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game against the New Zealand Breakers.
In April 2021, Giddey declared for the NBA draft, where he was projected as a lottery pick.
On December 26, 2021, Giddey became the second player in NBA history to record a scoreless double-double, after Norm Van Lier, with ten assists and ten rebounds in a game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
The Australian national basketball team participated in the 2021 FIBA Asia Cup qualification, seeking to secure a spot in the continental tournament.
In 2021, Josh Giddey was selected as the sixth overall pick in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. He also became the youngest player in NBA history to achieve a triple-double at the age of 19 years and 84 days.
On January 2, 2022, Giddey made history as the youngest player to achieve a triple-double in the NBA, with 17 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds, in a game against the Dallas Mavericks. This accomplishment surpassed the previous record set by LaMelo Ball.
During the 2022–23 season, Josh Giddey's sister, Hannah Giddey, played basketball for Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Prior to that, she had a two-year stint as a forward for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles.
In January 2023, Giddey reached a significant milestone by surpassing 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, and 500 assists in his first 100 NBA games. This achievement placed him among an elite group of players, including Luka Dončić, Ben Simmons, and Grant Hill, who had accomplished this feat.
In November 2023, an anonymous social media account surfaced with allegations against Josh Giddey, accusing him of engaging in an improper relationship with a minor. The account shared images and videos that allegedly showed Giddey with an underage girl during her junior year of high school. These posts were later removed, and the account was deactivated. The situation escalated as the NBA launched an investigation into the matter. Giddey and the Oklahoma City Thunder head coach, Mark Daigneault, chose not to provide any comments regarding the allegations. Further intensifying the situation, the Newport Beach Police Department announced an active investigation into the alleged relationship between Giddey and the female minor, involving the girl's family retaining lawyer Gloria Allred. In response to the police department's involvement, NBA commissioner Adam Silver decided to step back and allow law enforcement to conduct a thorough investigation without interference.
In 2023, Giddey represented Australia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup. He showcased his skills and potential, averaging an impressive 19.4 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists throughout the tournament. His performance earned him recognition as the FIBA Basketball World Cup Rising Star.
On January 11, 2024, Giddey made history by recording a triple-double with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists while maintaining a 100% field goal percentage in under 25 minutes of play against the Portland Trail Blazers. This achievement marked him as the first player in NBA history to achieve such a feat.
On January 17, 2024, the Newport Beach Police Department announced that Josh Giddey would not face any charges related to the allegations made against him. The decision stemmed from a lack of supporting evidence to corroborate the claims. Gloria Allred, the lawyer representing the girl's family, expressed that the outcome was not surprising, given the family's choice to prioritize their privacy and decline communication with law enforcement.
On May 23, 2024, the NBA concluded its investigation into the allegations against Josh Giddey. The league's findings aligned with those of the police investigation, stating that they were "unable to corroborate any criminal activity" on Giddey's part. As a result, the NBA closed its investigation without taking any further action.