AJ Griffin, son of Milwaukee Bucks head coach and former NBA player Adrian Griffin, made a surprising decision to retire from the NBA after just two seasons. His sudden departure from the league came after the Houston Rockets reportedly waived him via a contract buyout.
For Griffin, walking away from the game was not a loss but rather a step into a new chapter of life dedicated to ministry. Through a heartfelt video posted on his YouTube channel, Griffin shared the personal reasons behind his decision to step away from professional basketball.
“I’m not sure how long this video is going to be, but to bring it all down in a short summary. I gave up basketball to follow Jesus, I know that 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 with my full yes,” Griffin said.
“I feel like letting go of basketball has allowed me to go into full-time ministry and truly serve the Lord with all my heart, with all my time, too, as well,” he added.
AJ Griffin’s Short NBA Run
AJ Griffin entered the NBA with high expectations after being selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the No.16 overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft. During his rookie season, Griffin appeared in 72 games, where he averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assists.
Despite a promising start, Griffin’s time with the Hawks was short-lived. After just one season, the Hawks traded him to the Houston Rockets in exchange for the No. 43 overall pick, Nikola Durisic. Unfortunately, Griffin did not get the chance to make an impact with his new team, as he didn’t play in any regular-season games for the Rockets.
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Before his trade to Houston, Griffin had only played in 20 games during his second season with the Hawks. His stats had diminished, and he averaged just 2.4 points, 0.9 rebounds, and 0.3 assists.
In total, he played 92 regular-season games in the NBA, all with the Hawks. The 21-year-old also participated in five Summer League games with the Rockets in Las Vegas.
Also Read: Former Los Angeles Lakers Icon Robert Horry Explains Why He Belongs To The Hall of Fame.
