Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder is still actively playing despite reportedly having an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl two years ago. Questions have been raised on why the 6th overall pick of the 2021 NBA Draft has been able to do so.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver provided the latest update on the Josh Giddey case on Friday, December 8. He explained the reason the 21-year-old is still able to continue playing for the Thunder when he spoke on ESPN's "NBA Today."
"I can't think of many circumstances where we've suspended a player based on an allegation alone... where there is a criminal investigation, we take a backseat... That's where things currently stand."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 8, 2023
Adam Silver on the Josh Giddey situation.pic.twitter.com/iGFpxmP5zs
"I can't think of many circumstances where we've suspended a player based on an allegation alone... where there is a criminal investigation, we take a backseat... That's where things currently stand," Silver said via USA Today.
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Tough road ahead for Giddey
Hence, the sanctions that the NBA may hand to Giddey may only take place once the Newport Beach Police Department wraps up its investigation of the case. There is no telling when the investigation can conclude, especially following reports that the parents of the girl, Liv Cook, have allegedly refused to cooperate, per Marca.com.
The NBA also launched its investigation on the Josh Giddey issue. But as Silver pointed out, their actions may only be known once the police investigations are done.
Giddey was only 19 when he was in a controversial relationship with Cook, who was only 15 at the time. The age of consent in Oklahoma, where it all happened, is 16.
Although he can play, things have not exactly been easy for Giddey. He continues to be hounded by questions regarding the issue and gets booed each time he takes the basketball floor.
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