Josh Giddey has etched his name into NBA history in a way few could have predicted. The 23-year-old Australian guard for the Chicago Bulls recently recorded his 29th career triple-double during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 14, 2026. This performance—20 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists—propelled him past Michael Jordan’s 28 career triple-doubles, moving Giddey into 19th or 20th place (depending on ties) on the NBA’s all-time triple-double leaderboard.
This milestone is particularly striking because it involves surpassing one of basketball’s greatest icons, Michael Jordan, the legendary Bulls player synonymous with six championships and unparalleled dominance. Yet Giddey’s ascent highlights a different kind of excellence—one built on versatility, playmaking, and relentless improvement rather than scoring prowess alone.
Giddey’s journey began far from the NBA spotlight in Melbourne, Australia. He grew up immersed in basketball, starting with the Melbourne Tigers, where his father, Warwick Giddey, once played. Andrew Gaze, the NBL’s all-time leading scorer and a family acquaintance who knew Josh “since he came out of the womb,” has watched his transformation firsthand.
Gaze shared his reflections in a recent appearance on the Cut to the Jase podcast:
“With Josh Giddey, it’s a bit different for me because I’ve known him since he came out of the womb. Being there his whole [time], I remember him as a smartass cheeky little kid and then seeing him now, it’s a little different for me as the way in which I watch him.”
Gaze marveled at the improbability of Giddey’s rise:
“But never in your wildest dreams would you think of how it all could pan out in a good way. Who would have ever thought that he’s having his records compared to Scottie Pippen and Michael [Jordan]? I mean that is just hard to fathom how that would be the case.”
Selected sixth overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2021 NBA Draft, Giddey quickly established himself as a unique talent: a 6’8″ point guard with exceptional vision and passing ability. After three seasons in OKC, he was traded to the Chicago Bulls, where his game has flourished. This season, Giddey is averaging 18 points, 8.8 assists, and 8.4 rebounds—near triple-double territory every night—while shooting a career-high 38.6% from three-point range.
His improved shooting has been a game-changer. Gaze praised the dedication behind it:
“Josh has just been incredible the way in which he’s been able to adapt, continually improve the three-ball, it’s been incredible the way in which he’s been able to build on that. I think it’s also reflective of the work that he does. The amount of work it takes in order to do it, technique is important but becoming a good shooter is labor intensive. … The difference between the great ones and the good ones is just work. It’s just hours you put in. … I think Giddey falls in that category that he just puts in the work.”
Giddey’s recent form has been scorching. The triple-double against the Clippers marked his third in the past four games, part of a March surge where he’s averaged near triple-double numbers. Earlier, he surpassed Scottie Pippen for second on the Bulls’ franchise triple-double list, positioning him to challenge Jordan’s Bulls record of 28 in the coming seasons. At his current pace (roughly one triple-double every 6-7 games with the Bulls), he could eclipse it significantly.
Gaze remains optimistic about Giddey’s future:
“So yeah he’s great, he looks like he’s loved by his teammates and he’s going to have a long and by the look of things successful career. … Hopefully they can get some pieces around him and they can get back to the Chicago Bulls that we all remember.”
From the cheeky kid running around Melbourne courts to surpassing Michael Jordan on one of the NBA’s most prestigious lists, Josh Giddey’s story is one of hard work, adaptation, and extraordinary talent. At just 23, he’s already rewriting expectations—and the record books. The basketball world watches eagerly to see how far this Australian star will climb.