In a surprising turn of events, former Atlanta Hawks first-round pick A.J. Griffin has announced his decision to step away from professional basketball. Griffin, who was drafted 16th overall by the Hawks in the 2022 NBA Draft, recently confirmed this significant shift in his life.
Griffin's departure from the NBA comes on the heels of his release from the Houston Rockets on September 20. The 21-year-old received a $250,000 contract buyout, marking the end of his time with the Rockets, a team he joined following a trade for the 43rd overall pick, Nikola Durisic. Griffin played 20 games last season before the trade, earning a spot in the starting lineup 12 times during his rookie campaign.
The Rookie Season
Griffin entered the NBA after one season at Duke University, where he showcased enough potential to be a mid-first-round draft pick. In his rookie season with the Hawks, Griffin averaged nine points per game, impressing with a shooting efficiency of 39% from beyond the arc. He logged an average of 20 minutes per game and twice scored a career-best 24 points, displaying glimpses of his scoring prowess and versatility on the court.
A Struggle and a Decision
However, Griffin's professional journey took an unexpected turn when he struggled at the Las Vegas Summer League in July. Those struggles led to his release from the Rockets, a move that seemed to foreshadow his departure from professional basketball altogether.
But for Griffin, stepping away from the sport was about more than just on-court performance. In a heartfelt announcement, Griffin shared that he made this choice to pursue a spiritual calling. "I gave up basketball to follow Jesus," Griffin revealed.
He elaborated on his decision, saying, "And I know that in a lot of people's eyes, that seems like – it seems like a loss in the world's eyes. But, I just want to let you guys know that I'm super excited because I truly get to serve God, you know, with my full Yes, and I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to, you know, go into full-time ministry and truly serving the Lord with all my heart – with all my time too, as well. So, I'm just excited to see where that leads me."
A Family Legacy
Griffin's decision also casts a unique light on his family's rich basketball legacy. His father, Adrian Griffin, is a former NBA player and head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. Adrian's career in the league and subsequent transition to coaching has been well-documented, adding an intriguing layer to A.J.'s departure from the sport.
While A.J. Griffin's step away from basketball may seem like a surprising move to many, it's clear that his decision is driven by a desire to pursue a path that aligns more closely with his spiritual beliefs and personal values. As he embarks on this new journey, the basketball world will undoubtedly watch with interest, reflecting on the potential he showed on the court and the personal conviction that led him to choose a different path.