30
Dec
Aussies in the NBA
Josh Giddey has 'Big Ticket' for NBA All-Star Game
Australian Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls reacts after a basket against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena on December 24, 2025 (AEDT) in Atlanta, Georgia. Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Highlights
Kevin Garnett says Josh Giddey is a lock to become an NBA All-Star in 2026.
- Josh Giddey locks in $100M deal with Chicago Bulls
- Every Josh Giddey Chicago Bulls game in 2025-26
- Josh Giddey's full NBA Profile
- Latest News: Read more about Aussies in the NBA here
NBA Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, whose nickname is the Big Ticket, is adamant Australian Chicago Bulls star Josh Giddey will be an NBA All-Star in 2026.
"Josh Giddey, Giddey, Giddey. Definitely, Giddey's in," Garnett said to KG Certified co-host Paul Pierce on his podcast.
"Giddey's getting money."
The two NBA Hall of Famers were talking about which players would make the 2026 NBA All-Star Game, including Garnett telling viewers not to waste their vote on Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. Garnett said LeBron wouldn't play regardless as he did last year.
Pierce said to Garnett he'd named the Melbourne-born point guard earlier in the season but KG "wasn't rolling with me".
Garnett responded: "At the time, you asked me if I would take Giddey over somebody and at the time I said 'no'.
"Giddey is gettin' it. Shout out to Josh, man."
The 23-year-old Chicago Bulls star would be just the third Australian-born player to be selected as an NBA All-Star joining Melbourne-born Kyrie Irving and Ben Simmons, who is now a professional fisherman.
Giddey, who signed a USD $100M contract extension in September, is now the leader of the 15-16 Bulls. He's averaging 19.5 points per game, 9.1 assists and 9.2 rebounds. There is only one other player in the league averaging more than 19 points, nine rebounds and nine assists - Nikola Jokic.
He is just three triple doubles away from equaling Michael Jordan's career triple double total of 28. Giddey has 25 total and seven this season in 29 games.
This season alone, Giddey has passed Kobe Bryant, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Charles Barkley, and Walt Frazier on the all-time triple double list. His 25th equalled Portland Trail Blazers Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler.
Giddey's NBA career is already historic — at 23, the Melbourne-born point guard is in the company of Hall of Famers Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson.
Jordan, Magic, Bird, Grant Hill and Jason Kidd each had 20 triple doubles in their first five season. All five are in the Hall of Fame.
Chicago Bulls star Giddey is also in a club all of his own. He is the youngest, second youngest, third youngest AND forth youngest player in NBA history to record a triple double.
Yes, you read that correctly.
- Josh Giddey — Age: 19-084 │ Date: 1/2/2022 │ Team: OKC │ Opponent: DAL │ MIN: 36 │ PTS: 17 │ REB: 13 │ AST: 14
- Josh Giddey — Age: 19-125 │ Date: 2/12/2022 │ Team: OKC │ Opponent: CHI │ MIN: 33 │ PTS: 11 │ REB: 12 │ AST: 10
- Josh Giddey — Age: 19-127 │ Date: 2/14/2022 │ Team: OKC │ Opponent: NYK │ MIN: 39 │ PTS: 28 │ REB: 11 │ AST: 12
- Josh Giddey — Age: 19-129 │ Date: 2/16/2022 │ Team: OKC │ Opponent: SAS │ MIN: 33 │ PTS: 17 │ REB: 10 │ AST: 10
- LaMelo Ball — Age: 19-140 │ Date: 1/9/2021 │ Team: CHA │ Opponent: ATL │ MIN: 31 │ PTS: 22 │ REB: 12 │ AST: 11
NBA All-Star Voting is now open.
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