A look inside the close-knit family of Australian NBA star Josh Giddey as they are blindsided by disturbing allegations against him amid claims he is ‘royally screwed’ in an underage scandal

Family and friends of rising NBA star Josh Giddey are blindsided by the disturbing allegations that have put his career in jeopardy.

Sources close to the star’s family say they believe he has been ‘stitched up’ after claims that the 21-year-old had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl first surfaced on social media.

Giddey is the son of Australia’s basketball king, and both of his parents played professionally in their younger years.

On Tuesday, Warrick and Kim Giddey and their young daughters remained at their home in the Melbourne suburb of Yarraville, where they were besieged by reporters.

While the Giddey clan have refused to comment publicly on the Josh scandal, sources close to them have told Daily Mail Australia they fully support him in his time of need.

Last week, the NBA launched an investigation into the claims against Giddey, who has become one of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s most important players since being selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft.

Giddey is accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor after photos of him with a girl recently appeared on social media.

“Situations like this would be very difficult for a family that is quite normal, apart from having a 21-year-old multi-millionaire son who plays in the NBA,” the source said.

‘They are the most down-to-earth people you can meet. They are very modest. Josh is a good kid and knowing the family I thought there was more to it because he’s not like that. The consensus is that he is generously stitched up.”

The source said no one who knew Giddey believed he would ever knowingly engage in an inappropriate relationship.

“Josh grew up in a family that didn’t always tell him he was a superstar. Very talented, but never thought he was better than everyone. Straight to the NBL for one season before being drafted,” the source said.

Josh’s father, Warrick, played in the NBL from 1987 to 2002, winning two championships with the Melbourne Tigers.

Unlike his famous son, Warrick never achieved his dream of playing in the NBA.

“The old man’s career was that of a worker who had to work to make it,” the source said.

‘He wasn’t naturally gifted or talented, so he always had to put in extra effort. Before Josh was drafted, the family would not have been used to the attention as Warrick was never a superstar.

“Even after Warrick finished playing and started coaching, he was never a superstar or outstanding enough to attract attention.”

During an interview before the scandal broke, Warrick spoke fondly of his son’s character.

“I think the most important thing for Josh was learning to be a team player. Be selfless. “To really make the people around him better and get his teammates involved, and with all my kids… it’s not about you, it’s about the team,” he said.

According to TMZ Sports, California Newport Beach police are said to be investigating the claims against Giddey to find out if they have any validity.

The age of consent in California is 18.

News of the investigation came after a new video surfaced allegedly showing Giddey and the young woman dancing together at a nightclub.

Fans claim the video exonerates the Australian Boomers point guard because minors cannot legally enter a nightclub in the United States.

In the US, any Type I establishment, such as a nightclub, requires all patrons to be 21 years old.

However, most major cities have more than 18 nightclubs where people aged 18 to 21 can attend, but cannot consume alcohol on site.

“Am I witnessing the rescue of Josh Giddeyrn?” one fan asked.

“Did Bro Just Save Josh Giddey’s Career?” I posted another one.

‘Bro may not be playing for Thunder, but he just gave the assist of the century to Josh Giddey.’ added another.

The age of consent in Oklahoma is 16, but there are exceptions.

Minors aged 14 can have consensual sex with other minors under the age of 18 under the so-called Romeo and Juliet law.

Oklahoma also allows consensual sex between a minor and an adult if they are married.

Giddey received loud support from Oklahoma fans when he took the court to play against Philadelphia last weekend.

But the Australian star remained tight-lipped when interviewed before tip-off.

“I understand the question guys, I completely understand that you want to know more about it, but at this point I have nothing to say,” Giddey said.

Thunder coach Mark Diagneault said the star guard would continue to play until a directive was issued to rule him out.

“It’s obviously a competitive thing at the moment, so the ball is in their court,” Diagneault said.

Giddey has also received support from his Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian, who will travel to the United States next month to visit him and other Australian players.

Responding to the scandal, former Australian NBA star Andrew Bogut on Wednesday urged Giddey to “tighten his circle” once the dust settles.

‘He has so much to lose. Regardless of what comes out in the next two weeks… all those memes and all this s*** now, they’ll be there forever. It’s hard to take it back on social media.

‘It’s an equally ****y situation for everyone involved.

“It’s a valuable lesson for Josh. He needs to tighten up his circle and focus on that because he’s only been doing this for ten or fifteen years.

“As far as I understand and know, he was never a man who got into trouble or who knowingly wanted to act crazy.”