Joshua James Giddey Bio
Joshua James Giddey is an Australian professional basketball player who currently suits up for the Chicago Bulls in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Selected sixth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA draft, Giddey has established himself as one of the league’s most versatile young playmakers. He became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double at 19 years and 84 days old, and he was the first rookie since Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson in 1961 to record three consecutive triple-doubles. Giddey was named the NBL Rookie of the Year in 2021 with the Adelaide 36ers before earning NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2022.
Early Life and Background
Joshua James Giddey was born on October 10, 2002, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, to professional basketball players Kim and Warrick Giddey. Warrick Giddey represented the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne Tigers in the NBL, having previously excelled in both rugby league and rugby union at the Australian Schoolboys level. Kim Giddey played for the Melbourne Tigers women’s team in the WNBL, giving Joshua basketball running through his bloodline.
Giddey grew up supporting the Hawthorn Football Club while living in Yarraville. He attended St Kevin’s College in Toorak from Years 7 to 10 before emerging as one of Australia’s top basketball prospects at the NBA Global Academy, a training center that is part of the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. He also attended UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra alongside his full-time training at the AIS.
Path to Professional Basketball
Giddey’s rise through Australian basketball accelerated during his high school years. At the Australian Under-18 Championships in April 2019, he averaged 20 points, 8.3 rebounds, and six assists per game, leading VIC Metro to the championship title. In January 2020, he helped the NBA Global Academy win the Torneo Junior Ciutat de L’Hospitalet in Barcelona, where he earned MVP honors. The following month at NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago, he participated in Basketball Without Borders and was named an all-star of the camp.
Rather than pursuing NCAA college basketball, Giddey signed with the Adelaide 36ers of the NBL on March 12, 2020, as part of the league’s Next Stars program designed to develop NBA draft prospects. He became the first Australian player to participate in the program, turning down offers from several NCAA Division I programs, including Arizona.
Joshua James Giddey Career
Adelaide 36ers (2020–2021)
Giddey’s professional debut came in the NBL’s Next Stars program, where he showcased his all-around game immediately. On April 26, 2021, he recorded 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a game against the New Zealand Breakers, becoming the youngest Australian in NBL history to record a triple-double. Three days later, he became the first Australian ever to record triple-doubles in consecutive games, finishing with 15 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds in a win over the Brisbane Bullets. He added a third triple-double on May 9 against the Sydney Kings.
Giddey finished the season averaging 10.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and a league-leading 7.6 assists per game across 28 games. He was subsequently named the NBL Rookie of the Year. He was released from the active roster on May 17, 2021, to prepare for the NBA draft.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2021–2024)
Giddey declared for the 2021 NBA draft on April 27, 2021, where he was projected as a lottery pick. On July 29, he was selected as the sixth overall pick by the Oklahoma City Thunder and signed his contract on August 8. He made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, recording four points, 10 rebounds, and three assists in a loss to the Utah Jazz. Less than two weeks later, he recorded his first double-double with 18 points and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers.
On January 2, 2022, Giddey made NBA history by becoming the youngest player ever to record a triple-double, finishing with 17 points, 14 assists, and 13 rebounds against the Dallas Mavericks at just 19 years and 84 days old. He was named NBA Western Conference Rookie of the Month four consecutive times throughout the 2021-22 season. He finished his rookie year averaging 12.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting .419 from the field. He was the sole rookie that season to tally at least 500 points, 400 rebounds, and 300 assists, and he earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors.
On January 10, 2023, Giddey became the fifth player in NBA history to record at least 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, and 500 assists within their first 100 career games. He scored a season-high 28 points against the Brooklyn Nets on January 15. During the NBA play-in tournament on April 12, he recorded 31 points, 10 assists, and nine rebounds in a win over the New Orleans Pelicans. On January 11, 2024, Giddey became the first player in NBA history to post a triple-double on 100 percent field-goal accuracy in under 25 minutes, finishing with 13 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Chicago Bulls (2024–Present)
On June 21, 2024, Giddey was traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for guard Alex Caruso. He quickly became a central figure in the Bulls’ rotation. On December 2, he recorded his first triple-double with the team, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists against the Brooklyn Nets. Less than a month later, on December 28, he posted his second triple-double with 23 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Milwaukee Bucks, becoming the first Bull since Jimmy Butler to record multiple triple-doubles in a single season.
On March 22, 2025, Giddey recorded a near quadruple-double with 15 points, 17 assists, 10 rebounds, and a career-high eight steals in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Five days later, he recorded another triple-double with 25 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists, including a buzzer-beating game-winner from half-court against the Lakers. He became the second Bull in franchise history, alongside Michael Jordan, to record five or more triple-doubles in a single season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Giddey’s game centers on his exceptional playmaking ability and court vision. His size for a point guard allows him to see over defenders and deliver precise passes. He excels at grabbing rebounds and immediately pushing the ball up the court in transition. His basketball IQ and feel for the game enable him to fill up the stat sheet across multiple categories consistently, making him a triple-double threat in every contest.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Giddey has accumulated numerous triple-doubles and near triple-double performances. His ability to impact games in multiple facets has placed him among the NBA’s elite young playmakers. He joined Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen as the only Bulls players to record seasons with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists.
Joshua James Giddey Career Wins
Giddey’s career highlights include multiple triple-double performances across both the NBL and NBA, along with individual accolades recognizing his impact on both leagues.
NBA Highlights
In the NBA, Giddey has established himself as one of the league’s premier triple-double artists. He holds the record as the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double and has become the second player in Bulls franchise history, after Michael Jordan, to record five or more triple-doubles in a single season. His career averages continue to improve with each season, and he has demonstrated the ability to fill up the stat sheet across points, rebounds, and assists consistently.
Other Wins and Achievements
In the NBL, Giddey was named Rookie of the Year in 2021 after leading the league in assists per game. He represented Australia at the 2019 FIBA Under-17 Oceania Championship, earning All-Star Five honors while leading his team to a gold medal. He was recognized as the FIBA Basketball World Cup Rising Star in 2023.
Rising Star Award
Giddey represented Australia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, where he averaged 19.4 points, five rebounds, and six assists per game. He earned FIBA Basketball World Cup Rising Star honors for his performance throughout the tournament.
Joshua James Giddey Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Giddey’s parents both enjoyed professional basketball careers in Australia. His father Warrick played in the NBL for the Illawarra Hawks and Melbourne Tigers, having previously represented Australian Schoolboys teams in both rugby league and rugby union. His mother Kim competed in the WNBL for the Melbourne Tigers. This family background provided Giddey with a deep appreciation and understanding of basketball from an early age.
Personal Life
Giddey’s sister Hannah played collegiate basketball for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles for two years before playing the 2022-23 season for Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. In November 2023, allegations surfaced regarding an alleged improper relationship. The NBA and Newport Beach Police Department both investigated the matter. On January 17, 2024, authorities announced that Giddey would not face any charges due to insufficient corroborating evidence. The NBA closed its investigation on May 23, 2024, concurring with law enforcement that they were unable to corroborate any criminal activity.
National Team Career
Junior National Team
Giddey represented Australia at the 2019 FIBA Under-17 Oceania Championship in New Caledonia. He averaged 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, and five assists per game while leading his team to a gold medal. In the final against New Zealand, he collected 25 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and five steals in an 85-56 victory, earning a spot on the All-Star Five.
Senior National Team
Giddey made his debut for the Australia senior national team on February 23, 2020, during FIBA Asia Cup qualification. He recorded 11 points, six assists, and three rebounds in just 11 minutes in a win over Hong Kong. At just 17 years old, he became the youngest player to represent the Australian senior team since Ben Simmons in 2013. Giddey was among the final cuts from the Australian roster for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and was selected as one of three emergency players instead.