Australian NBA and Boomers star Josh Giddey has been snapped in steamy photos with a glamourous blonde model just months after he was cleared over allegations he had an improper relationship with an underage girl.
With the Aussie basketball star’s NBA season over, he has been pictured living it up with Melbourne model Maki Lesko.
Lesko describes herself as Russian, Polish and Australian and is represented by leading Melbourne modelling agency Brooklyn MGMT in Australia and Agency Arizona in the United States.
In a series of photos posted in Melbourne on social media platform Instagram, Lesko is seen posing while Giddey texts in a vehicle.
In another image that has since been deleted, she is seen with her arm snaking around Giddey’s neck while he sticks his tongue out in what looks like a Melbourne night club.
Lesko is also pictured with rising Australian basketball star Patrick Twigg, with her hand on his leg and looking lovingly at the Notre Dame college star.
View gallery
Giddey was snapped dancing with the Melbourne model Maki Lesko in what appears to be a Melbourne night club
View gallery
Giddey was also snapped using his mobile phone while Lesko poses for a photo inside a vehicle
View gallery
Lesko also posted this image with rising Australian basketball star Patrick ‘Paddy’ Twiggs
Lesko has also previously been linked with Essendon AFL star Ben Hobbs after stepping out on the red carpet at the club’s best and fairest awards in 2022 with the footy star.
Giddey was cleared of allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a minor by both USA police and the NBA this year.
The Newport Beach Police Department in California confirmed in January that their investigation into the claims was officially over and no charges would be laid.
This followed an inquiry into whether Giddey had an improper relationship with an underage girl after material circulated on social media.
The allegations 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.
View gallery
Giddey was cleared of any wrongdoing by both Caiifornia Police and the NBA
Despite the unfounded allegations, Giddey faced boos and jeers at games, affecting his performance until a late-season surge. The NBA concluded its investigation in May, following the police’s decision not to pursue charges.
Giddey became emotional discussing 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 defeat by the Dallas Mavericks.
View gallery
The long-running investigation took its toll on Giddey with his form suffering in his third season with the Olkahoma City Thunder
‘This was probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever gone through for a number of reasons,’ Giddey said.
‘I think coping mentally is the part that gets overlooked the most for any player. People see what’s happening on the floor but not behind the scenes. There’s so much more to a person than basketball.’
‘You have a couple of bad games, you start to get in your own head, maybe lose confidence. But for me, I’ve tried to stay within the team. Coming in every day, getting amongst the team, staying within the group — that’s what cheers guys up and gets you back on the right path.’
‘I’m really lucky to have good people around me who care and are there for you.
‘There have definitely been tough days and stretches this year. It’s not a secret. But I just tried to come in every day and be the best I could and be the best teammate I could.’
View gallery
Giddey is now expected to play a key role for the Australian Boomers at the Paris Olympics
View gallery
The Boomers will need to put the pain of bowing out in the group stage at the recent World Cup behind them ahead of the Olympics
View gallery
Giddey is expected to play a much larger role in the Aussie’s attack this time around
The Aussie star will now turn his focus to the Boomers’ quest for an Olympic medal in Paris this July.
The Boomers’ 17-player squad will be cut to 12 for the Games after a camp in Melbourne, starting this month, which features lead-up fixtures against China on July 2 and July 4.
NBA stars Giddey, Patty Mills and Josh Green will lead the charge against star-studded Canada, and potentially Spain or Greece, in a tough pool stage.
Despite the quality of opposition and a 10th-place finish at last year’s World Cup, the Boomers are optimistic about their medal chances in Paris after snaring bronze in Tokyo.
‘The goal remains the same,’ sharpshooting Melbourne United star Chris Goulding said.
‘We’ve tasted medal success, we want more, we want to go further.
‘We look back at being up 10-15 points against Team USA in a semi-final (in Tokyo) and you look at some things you could do better and try to go that one step further.
‘That’s definitely what we’ll be looking to do.’
News
UNTEACHABLE ‘I’m a dog,’ claims Angel Reese after WNBA star leads Chicago Sky to comeback win against Caitlin Clark’s Indiana Fever
ANGEL Reese enjoyed a career game on Sunday as the Chicago Sky narrowly defeated the Indiana Fever. The rookie forward, 22, was instrumental in Chicago’s much-needed win. Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese enjoyed a career game on SundayCredit: WNBA on ESPN Reese…
YOUNG LOVE Who is college basketball star Reed Sheppard’s girlfriend, Brailey Dizney?
The pair have shared glimpses into their relationship on social media REED Sheppard is a hot topic for the 2024 NBA Draft. Fans of the college basketball star also want to know more about his relationship with his girlfriend, Brailey Dizney. (L-R) Brailey Dizney…
FATHERLY LOVE LeBron James plans for NBA Draft revealed with son Bronny set to be snubbed from first round
LeBron and Bronny, however, won’t be traveling to NYC for the draft LEBRON James is hosting an NBA draft party – and is dreaming of toasting the next stage of his son Bronny’s basketball career. The USC star, who suffered…
Miss Universe Amelia Vega with Boston Celtics player Al Horford Enjoy the Happy Family Life with Their Five Adorable Kids
Miss Universe Amelia Vega and Boston Celtics’ star Al Horford Enjoy a Happy Family Life with Their Five Adorable Children. Amelia Vega, the stunning Miss Universe of 2003, and her husband Al Horford, the renowned Boston Celtics star, are known…
Shocking Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese Comparison Blows Up Online After Sky-Fever
Caitlin Clark will always be known more as an offense-first player, which also makes the fact that the Indiana Fever star rookie had two blocks during her team’s 91-83 at home over Angel Reese and the Chicago Sky on Sunday surprising. Even more shocking is the information…
Caitlin Clark Sends Classy Message to Angel Reese, Fanbase After Hard Foul
One of the things that WNBA fans love most about Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark is how well she speaks when eyes are on her. Clark always seems like she knows exactly what to say in any situation, and keeps it classy at all times. While…
End of content
No more pages to load