Last Updated on July 19, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Josh Giddey stands out for his exceptional court vision and feel for the game, routinely making passes that few players even attempt while controlling the tempo with remarkable composure. The Australian guard’s size, rebounding ability, and all-around playmaking have made him one of the NBA’s most unique young talents and a constant triple-double threat.

Here’s a detailed overview of Josh Giddey:

  • Full Name: Joshua James Giddey
  • Nationality: Australian
  • Age: Born on October 10, 2002
  • Hometown: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Yarraville)
  • Height: 6 feet 8 inches (203 cm)
  • Weight: 216 pounds (98 kg)
  • Wingspan: 6 feet 8 inches (203cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 13 (US)
  • Shoe Brand: Nike Kobe 6 Protro
  • Number: 3 (OKC)
  • Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard
  • High School: St. Kevin’s College, Melbourne, Australia
  • College: Did not attend college (Developed in Australia’s NBL program)
  • NBA Draft: 6th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Teams Played For:
    1. Oklahoma City Thunder (2021–2023)
    2. Chicago Bulls (2024–present)
  • Championship Rings: None as of now
  • Kids: No public information about having children
  • Siblings: He has a sister named Hannah, who is also a basketball player.

The player archetype for Josh Giddey is a versatile point forward whose exceptional court vision and all-around skill set make him a natural offensive connector. Defensively, he uses his size, instincts, and rebounding ability to contribute across multiple positions, even if lateral quickness is not his greatest strength. Offensively, Giddey orchestrates the game with creative passing, thrives in transition, and keeps defenses honest with improving perimeter shooting and timely drives to the basket. Standing 6-foot-8 with excellent body control and composure, he plays at his own pace, consistently making smart decisions that elevate teammates. His blend of size, feel for the game, and unselfish approach allows him to impact winning in ways that extend well beyond the traditional box score.

Scouting Report

Josh Giddey sees passing angles that many guards never even look for, and that shapes almost everything he does offensively. The interesting thing is that he often creates advantages before the defense realizes it’s under pressure. He’ll come off a ball screen at his own pace, keep his dribble alive while reading the weak-side tag, then fire a one-handed pass to a cutter or skip the ball across the floor the instant a defender takes a false step. His size lets him pass over the top of smaller defenders, and he’s comfortable grabbing a defensive rebound and initiating the break himself without needing an outlet. As a scorer, he’s at his best attacking gaps that already exist, using long strides, body control and touch around the basket rather than explosive acceleration, while his willingness to cut behind the defense keeps him involved even when someone else has the ball. The trade-off is that defenders who don’t respect his perimeter shot can shrink the floor, going under ball screens or clogging driving lanes until he proves he can consistently punish that coverage. Defensively, his anticipation often keeps him around the play, particularly as a rebounder and helper rotating into the lane, but quicker guards can force him into uncomfortable recoveries at the point of attack, making lineup construction especially important. To me, Giddey fits best beside dynamic shooters and an athletic rim-running big, where his vision becomes the engine of an offense built on movement rather than isolation. That’s where his feel for timing really separates him. He doesn’t simply deliver passes to open teammates; he frequently throws them before the opening fully appears, trusting teammates to arrive exactly where the play is headed. His game shares clear similarities with Shaun Livingston’s measured pace and size in the backcourt, while the imagination and willingness to manipulate defenses as a passer bring flashes of a young Jason Kidd, even if Giddey relies far more on craft than explosive end-to-end speed.

Notes:

  • Josh Giddey’s playing weight has been consistent throughout his career at around 215-220 pounds. He’ll likely try to retain that weight since much of his game is reliant on his nimbleness, though he may look to gain more muscle later, especially if a team trainer recommends it.
  • Josh Giddey’s height without shoes is 6 feet 8 inches.
  • Josh Giddey started his NBA career wearing the Nike Kobe 6 Protro basketball shoes.
  • Similar players to Josh Giddey include LaMelo Ball, Steve Blake, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Fun Facts

  • The Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso because they thought Caruso’s experience would be better than Giddey’s upside while competing for a championship in 2024-25. Most NBA fans thought that was unusual given Giddey’s upside.
  • His dad (Warrick Giddey) was a professional basketball player in the NBL (Australian league) who played for the Melbourne Tigers alongside NBL greats such as Andrew Gaze and Lanard Copeland. I attended many of those Melbourne Tiger games. Warrick’s style of player is very different from Josh’s. Warrick was a scrappy, hard-nosed player and Josh is a finesse player better suited to the modern game.

Player Insights

Ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline, reports indicated that Matas Buzelis was viewed by the Chicago Bulls as their only untouchable player. Given Josh Giddey’s level of play this season, that stance was surprising. Giddey entered the season with momentum after an impressive showing for Australia at the 2024 Paris Olympics and has largely carried that form into the NBA. While his shooting efficiency has drawn criticism at times, his overall production has remained strong thanks to his contributions as a scorer, rebounder, and playmaker. His all-around impact has steadily improved as the season has progressed, and his performances over the past month have been among the most productive of his career, reinforcing his value as a key piece of Chicago’s future. 2/10/2025