Earlier this month, reports began to swirl that Houston Rockets small forward AJ Griffin — the No. 16 overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2022 NBA Draft — was considering retiring from the NBA. Then last week, those reports were confirmed.
On Saturday in a video posted to YouTube, the 21-year-old explained in his own words why he has decided to step away from basketball.
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“I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” he said in the video. “I know that … 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 with my full ‘yes.’
“Letting go of basketball has allowed me to go into full-time ministry and truly serving the Lord with all my heart. With all my time too.”
Griffin then proceeded to explain the steps that eventually led him to make this decision.
“This really has to start off with me giving my life to Christ in 2020,” he said. “I truly accepted Him back then. He found me. I know we say we find God, but He finds us. … It was the best decision of my life.”
Basketball was his everything, Griffin said. But as God worked in his heart, he began to understand that his ultimate purpose was to glorify Him. As he grew in spiritual maturity, so too did the platform that basketball afforded to tell others about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“I just want to continue to keep sharing the good news of the Gospel to as many people as I can,” he said. “I think now (in retirement) I’m able to have my full devotion to the Lord. I want to reach people more through my platforms.”
Griffin has been one of the most outspoken followers of Christ in the NBA, with the majority of his posts on X, on Instagram and on TikTok about his faith in Jesus.
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. – Romans 12:21
— AJ Griffin (@whoisAG21) July 14, 2024
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@ajgriffin_14 Jesus is the way, the truth and the life✝️🤍#fyp #jesuslovesyou
Griffin was a five-star recruit in 2021 out of Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, and he committed to play college basketball at Duke. He helped lead the Blue Devils to the Final Four during his one and only season there (2021-22), the last for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski.
Griffin spent two seasons with the Hawks in the NBA, averaging 7.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in 92 career games played, before being traded to the Houston Rockets in June. He played five games for the Rockets’ summer league team this past July.
As Griffin reflected on his basketball journey in his latest video, he recognized God’s goodness through it all.
“I was allowed by God’s grace and mercy to spread the good news of the Gospel wherever I went,” he said. “… I was super blessed to be able to be a part of these journeys of my life. I’m just thankful. I don’t regret anything. I truly am blessed to have that journey and have that testimony of saying that, ‘You can have all the riches in the world, but the only thing that truly matters is your relationship with Jesus.'”
He continued later: “Jesus, He’s the only One that can fulfill you. He’s the only One that can give you purpose. I feel like the Lord was calling me to let go of basketball truly just to serve Him more.”
Griffin made sure in his video to thank everyone who cared for him and supported him during his time in the NBA and beyond.
“I’m doing good and I’m excited just to continue to keep doing the work of the Lord,” he said while concluding his video. “I hope this video also encourages people to not live in fear, because I think fear tries to stop a lot of people from pursuing what they know God has told them to do. I just want to be an encouragement to walk by faith and not by sight. God, He’s the One that truly provides. He’s the One who takes away and gives, so just know that it’s all working out for your good.
“Don’t worry about the outside noise. Focus on your personal relationship with Jesus and everything else will be added. [Matthew 6:33] says, ‘First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.'”
With his decision to retire, Griffin will be waived and his contract bought out. He will see a fraction of the $3.9 million he was set to make in 2024-25.
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