Brian Goorjian Condemns Abuse Towards NBA Star Josh Giddey, Praises Resilience Amid Allegations

In a shocking revelation, Australian basketball figure Brian Goorjian has decried the relentless abuse directed at NBA sensation Josh Giddey over allegations of an underage relationship, labeling it as the worst he has witnessed in his 50-year career in the sport.

Giddey, the 21-year-old Oklahoma City Thunder star, was officially cleared by the Newport Beach Police Department after a six-week investigation into the matter. The alleged relationship took place when Giddey was 20, with the California high school student involved refusing to be interviewed by detectives to safeguard her privacy.

Speaking on Channel Nine’s Today program from Dubai, Goorjian, the Boomers coach and a six-time NBL championship-winning coach, expressed admiration for Giddey’s handling of the situation, calling him a “special kid.” He expressed hope that Giddey could now focus on playing basketball and move forward, emphasizing the player’s resilience.

Goorjian also affirmed that Giddey would be an integral part of the Boomers squad gearing up for the Paris Olympics, indicating the coach’s confidence in the player’s character and abilities.

The Newport Beach Police Department released a statement announcing the closure of the case due to the lack of corroborating evidence. The statement emphasized the commitment to accurate information dissemination and protecting the rights of all involved parties.

Throughout the investigation, Giddey continued to play for the Thunder in the NBA, with the allegations surfacing in November. The incident reportedly occurred in 2021, with Giddey initially believing the girl to be 19 when they met at a nightclub. Upon discovering her true age the following day, Giddey reportedly ended the relationship.

Despite the clearance of any wrongdoing, Giddey faced consequences in losing his ambassador role for Australian breakfast cereal Weet-Bix. NBA commissioner Adam Silver had earlier clarified that Giddey would not face suspension solely based on an allegation, emphasizing the importance of due process in such matters.