Australia’s Josh Giddey has become the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple double.
Yes, you read that right. This is not a typo.
The 19-year-old recorded the achievement in Oklahoma City Thunder’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday afternoon (AEDT), giving the Thunder an overall record of 13-23 on the season.
Giddey took the record of youngest of all time to register a triple double from Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball (19 years and 140 days).
Giddey achieved the feat at 19 years and 85 days.
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
Without point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giddey took a leading role for OKC, not only scoring a triple double but leading his team in points (17), assists (14), rebounds (13) and steals (four).
After controversially being taken sixth in the draft when there appeared to be more fancied options, particularly according to a lot of OKC supporters.
Giddey has endeared himself to the OKC fans and the league.
Surely this latest performance solidifies that opinion and with Giddey and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, they have the makings of a quality franchise in the years to come.
For Giddey, there is plenty to work on.
But given the hype around this young talent not just in Australia but across the NBA, especially with his passing and the way he reads the game, the future is bright.
The key going forward is turning the stats into Ws.
jameswm
Roar Guru
He has a few calls to make… But if he’s fully committed, he’s obviously a massive asset.
Nathan Cirson
Roar Pro
Feel like Simmons needs to make a call on his Boomers career well before Paris so they know where they stand either way. In or out?
Nathan Cirson
Roar Pro
PeterCtheThird - the original headline focused more on the achievement rather than the last line of the article. But ah well. I don’t think he can do much more than he’s doing at the moment but I would hope that over the next 3-4 years this team progresses with Giddey a key element. Just look at the likes of Westbrook who is great for stats but terrible for team success and hope he is the complete opposite to that.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Mills can still be very good. He’s in career best form now and the Olympics are in 2.5 years. We don’t really need Delly. As guards we have Mills, Giddey, possibly Simmons, Exum and even Goulding to pick ahead of him. Thybulle at small forward.
jameswm
Roar Guru
Very strong if we get Simmons. And we need some big men too. Baynes is getting on, Landale going ok, maybe Thon Maker.
PeterCtheThird
Guest
The headline, as usual, doesn’t quite match the article, but what else do you expect the young man to do? What about the rest of the team? Have they no responsibility for anything?
Nathan Cirson
Roar Pro
Mills will be 35 and Ingles will be 36. Delly will be 33 and Baynes will be 37. If any or all of them go to the Paris Olympics they’re surely looking at being role players rather than the focal points. With Giddey, SGA and Dort they do have the opportunity to build something together. The key will be keeping them and adding pieces as they need it. In line for another high draft pick again this year. Get it right and anything could happen.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
He'll need some cattle around him before that will happen. The thunder are already overachieving expectations this year because go Giddley. How old will Patty Mills be by the next olympics? The Aussie team is looking pretty damn strong right now.