Aussie basketball superstar Josh Giddey spotted with glamorous blonde model months after he was cleared of allegations about a teenage girl
Australian NBA and Boomers star Josh Giddey has been captured in steamy photos with a glamorous blonde model, just months after he was acquitted on charges he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl.
Now that the Australian basketball star’s NBA season is over, he is pictured with Melbourne model Maki Lesko.
Lesko describes herself as Russian, Polish and Australian and is represented by leading modeling agency Brooklyn MGMT in Melbourne, Australia and Agency Arizona in the United States.
In a series of photos posted in Melbourne on social media platform Instagram, Lesko is seen texting in a car while Giddey.
In another image that has since been deleted, she is seen with her arm snaking around Giddey’s neck as he sticks his tongue out in what appears to be a Melbourne nightclub.
Lesko is also pictured with rising Australian basketball star Patrick Twigg, with her hand on his leg and looking lovingly at the Notre Dame varsity star.
Giddey was photographed dancing with Melbourne model Maki Lesko in what appears to be a Melbourne nightclub
Giddey was also filmed on his mobile phone as Lesko posed for a photo in a vehicle
Lesko also posted this photo with rising Australian basketball star Patrick ‘Paddy’ Twiggs
Lesko was also previously linked to Essendon AFL star Ben Hobbs after hitting the red carpet with the footy star at the club’s best and fairest awards in 2022.
Giddey was acquitted this year by both US police and the NBA of allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor.
Newport Beach, California police confirmed in January that their investigation into the claims had officially concluded and that no charges would be filed.
This followed an investigation into whether Giddey had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl after material circulated on social media.
The accusations surfaced on social media in November last year.
Throughout the investigation, the Oklahoma City Thunder supported their 21-year-old guard, allowing Giddey to continue playing.
Giddey was cleared of any wrongdoing by both Caiifornia police and the NBA
Despite the unfounded accusations, Giddey faced boos and jeers during matches, which affected his performances until a late-season surge. The NBA concluded its investigation in May after police decided not to file charges.
Giddey became emotional as he discussed the toll the season took on him after finishing his third season with the Oklahoma City Thunder. The team was eliminated from the NBA playoffs after a second-round loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
The long-running investigation took its toll on Giddey, as his form suffered in his third season with the Olkahoma City Thunder
“This was probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever faced for a number of reasons,” Giddey said.
“I think mentally coping is the most overlooked part for any player. People see what’s happening on the floor, but not behind the scenes. A person is so much more than basketball.’
‘You’ve had a few bad games, you get into your own head and maybe lose confidence. But for me, I tried to stay within the team. Showing up every day, joining the team, staying within the group, that’s what cheers guys up and gets you back on track.”
‘I’m really lucky to have good people around me who care about you and are there for you.
‘There have certainly been tough days and periods this year. It’s no secret. But I just tried to show up every day and be the best I could and be the best teammate I could.”
Giddey is now expected to play a key role for the Australian Boomers at the Paris Olympics
The Boomers will have to put the pain of dropping out in the group stages at the recent World Cup behind them in the run-up to the Olympics
Giddey is expected to play a much bigger role in the Australian’s attack this time around
The Australian star will now turn his focus to the Boomers’ quest for an Olympic medal in Paris in July.
The Boomers’ squad of 17 players will be reduced to 12 for the Games after a camp in Melbourne starting this month, with the lead-up games against China on July 2 and 4.
NBA stars Giddey, Patty Mills and Josh Green will lead the charge against star-studded Canada, and possibly Spain or Greece, in a tough pool stage match.
Despite the quality of the opposition and a tenth-place finish at last year’s World Cup, the Boomers are optimistic about their medal chances in Paris after taking bronze in Tokyo.
“The goal remains the same,” Melbourne United marksman Chris Goulding said.
‘We have tasted medal success, we want more, we want to go further.
“We look back at a 10-15 point lead against Team USA in a semifinal (in Tokyo) and you look at some of the things you could do better and try to take it a step further.
“That’s certainly what we’ll try to do.”