The Josh Giddey news in the past weeks, if proven true, could derail the good Oklahoma City Thunder season.
The Australian guard became the talk of the NBA town last month after his alleged relationship with an alleged minor was exposed.
Nothing is wrong if female basketball fans feel giddy about meeting their hardcourt idols. Nothing wrong, too, if an NBA player, single and all, gets along with their fans in a romantic manner.
However, there is a line that one cannot cross- having a relationship with an underage.
Giddey reportedly crossed that line, and now, the police are getting involved as he continues to get roasted by NBA Twitter.
Right now, nothing is confirmed yet about the relationship. The 21-year-old's camp has yet to address the issue.
Here are the key details surrounding the Giddey grooming allegations:
1. Alleged Josh Giddey girlfriend is a high school student.
It is not common for fans to be obsessed about a player's girlfriend, but if they are, it is just out of curiosity.
It is different with Giddey because his is said to be "criminal." Videos of the player hugging a blonde girl from behind surfaced on X (formerly Twitter), and users were quick to point out that the girl looked underage.
More details about the girl emerged, and Giddey might be in trouble.
"The female is a high school student in Orange County, according to a teacher who was not authorized to speak publicly on the matter and requested anonymity," a Los Angeles Times investigation wrote.
"The Times will not publish specific identifying information of an alleged underage victim of a sexual crime."
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2. Legality of relationship
It is not confirmed whether the two have a sexual relationship, but to contextualize the alleged relationship, let's discuss the age of consent.
The age of sexual consent in California is 18. According to the law, anybody who engages in sexual activity with a minor under the age of 18, they can be charged with statutory rape.
In Australia, where Giddey was born and raised, the age of consent is 16.
The Orange Country girl, according to rumors, is 15 years old.
3. Police are now on Giddey's neck.
California authorities are taking the matter seriously and have launched an investigation into the mentioned relationship of the NBA player.
"The Newport Beach Police Department is actively seeking additional information related to these allegations and pursuing all leads and evidence to obtain the facts of the case," it said.
"The Newport Beach Police Department aims to ensure a fair and thorough investigative process while maintaining the privacy and dignity of everyone involved. At this time, NBPD Detectives are still conducting an active investigation."
The case cannot proceed as the girl's family refuses to cooperate.
4. Why Giddey can still play?
Many NBA commentators should be on Giddey's case by now, but that is not happening.
The issue, they say, is a delicate one. Stephen A. Smith refuses to attack the player because the details remain blurry.
The NBA and the Thunder have no reasonable cause to suspend Giddey, although they can do it at their own discretion.
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