A.J. Griffin Steps Away from Professional Basketball to Pursue Spiritual Calling
Former Atlanta Hawks first-round pick A.J. Griffin has made the surprising 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 decision comes shortly after his release from the Houston Rockets on September 20. Despite receiving a $250,000 contract buyout, the 21-year-old has chosen a different path, announcing his intention to pursue a spiritual calling.
"I gave up basketball to follow Jesus," Griffin stated. "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."
Griffin played one season at Duke before entering the NBA. In his rookie season, he averaged nine points per game with a shooting efficiency of 39% from beyond the arc. He logged an average of 20 minutes per game, scoring a career-best 24 points twice and securing a spot in the starting lineup 12 times.
However, Griffin's promising start took a turn last season when he was traded to the Rockets in exchange for the 43rd overall pick, Nikola Durisic. He played 20 games for Houston before struggling at the Las Vegas Summer League in July, which ultimately led to his release.
Griffin's lineage is noteworthy as well; he is the son of Adrian Griffin, a former NBA player and the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks. This added an extra element of intrigue and expectation to his career, making his departure even more unexpected.
While Griffin's departure marks the end of a brief but eventful professional basketball career, his commitment to his new path is clear. The NBA community and fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on this next chapter in his life, as Griffin devotes himself to his spiritual journey.