Police in Newport Beach, California will not pursue charges against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Josh Kite after concluding an investigation into allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with an underage girl, the department said in a statement Wednesday night.
“After a thorough and thorough review, we have concluded our investigation into the information circulated on social media involving Josh Gidde,” the statement said. “Our detectives have reviewed all available information and have been unable to confirm any criminal activity related to Mr. Gide.”
Allegations against Gide surfaced on social media in late November. In the since-deleted post, an anonymous social media user said a girl seen with Kitty in videos and photos was a high school junior at the time. The social media account has since been disabled.
Newport Beach police began an investigation days after the allegations surfaced, releasing a statement on Nov. 29 that said, in part, “The department is actively seeking additional information regarding these allegations and is pursuing all avenues and evidence to obtain the facts of the case.”
The NBA is also investigating the allegations, and spokesman Michael Bass told The Associated Press on Wednesday that the league is aware of the police investigation's findings and that “our review is ongoing” in the matter.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in early December that the league office's investigation would “take a backseat” to the Newport Beach police process.
“Typically, we will work with law enforcement to the extent that they share the information they have with us,” Silver said during his Las Vegas news conference before the NBA's season finale. “We can learn from that. When working with the police department on this case, or the DA, we'll do what we can as long as they say we're not interfering with their investigation. At the same time. But generally, we get behind any investigation and then go from there. “
Gide, 21, declined to comment on the allegations. In late November, Oklahoma City coach Mark Daignault called the allegations “a personal matter” and declined comment other than to say the organization took Kidde to continue playing based on the facts the Thunder held.
Kidde, a regular in road games since the allegations surfaced, is averaging 11.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.6 assists for the 27-13 Thunder.
