Basketball has taken a remarkable swerve in an unforeseen direction. A.J. Griffin, a notable 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has earnestly charted a new course towards pursuing his deep-seated passion for ministry. Griffin fervently voiced, ‘I have decided to leave basketball in order to fully devote myself to the service of Jesus.’ The consensus might perceive this move as forfeiting a lucrative prospect: but for Griffin, this marks an exhilarating turn of fresh beginnings centered within his faith.
A.J. Griffin is the progeny of well-regarded NBA player Adrian Griffin, who also took his chance in leading the Bucks as a head coach for a fleeting term. Two seasons post his stint with the Atlanta Hawks, young Griffin chooses to relinquish his burgeoning basketball career. The rumors around his imminent retirement were significantly reinforced by certain personal and familial circumstances, which Griffin elected to keep away from the public eye.
Griffin’s retirement announcement surprised the sports world in mid-September, which was three months following an all-important three-way trade that placed Griffin from Atlanta to Houston. Embarking on a new phase, the Houston Rockets confirmed on September 20th that they were buying out Griffin’s contract for what was reported to be a sum of $250,000. This was a mere drop in the pond against the approximately $10 million that the promising forward was on the verge of raking in over the final two years of his rookie contract.
In Griffin’s own words, the decision to turn his back on basketball has provided him with an unfettered path to the ministry, thereby enabling him to serve his divine calling with absolute commitment. ‘Leaving basketball behind signifies my transition into full-time ministry, serving the Lord wholeheartedly and with all the time that I am blessed with,’ Griffin passionately articulated.
As a graduate of Duke University, Griffin had shown promise during his time in Atlanta and seemed poised for growth as a worthy player in the organization. He managed to leave a mark in all of the 72 games he participated in during his rookie year, garnering an average of 8.9 points per game. His knack for the game was further exemplified by his second-place ranking in the 2022 draft, with a commendable 39% three-point shooting accuracy rate, outpaced only by Sacramento’s prodigy, Keegan Murray, who boasts 41.1%.
Griffin seemed to be on the cusp of securing a respectable position within the NBA. However, the subsequent season, which was his age 20 season, did not quite go as anticipated. He started the season on hiatus, attributed to undisclosed personal reasons, and struggled to regain his position in the lineup upon his return. This time, Griffin was limited to a mere 20 games, and his performance was not up to his previous standard— managing an average of just 2.4 points in 8.6 minutes per game along with a more terrestrial 25.6% success rate from behind the three-point line.
In the context of Griffin’s decision and the timing thereof, the Houston Rockets now find themselves left in a somewhat peculiar position. With the impending start of NBA training camps scheduled for October 1st, Griffin’s announcement presents some significant, albeit surprising, alterations for the team. As reported by The Athletic, the franchise was not prepared for its fresh acquisition to announce his likely retirement so prematurely, and at present, there are no immediate plans to refill his previously anticipated roster spot.
Watch his full announcement below!