This past week, 2022 first-round pick AJ Griffin (16th overall, Atlanta Hawks) announced his retirement from professional basketball.
The move in and of itself was shocking. But the reasoning behind his decision? Trailblazing.
“I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” the 21-year-old small forward shared in a video he posted to his YouTube channel. “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, who played one season of college basketball at Duke University (2021-22), moved on to the NBA after hearing his name called by the Hawks early in the annual selection process. He spent two seasons with Atlanta for a total of 92 games, averaging 7.5 points and nearly two rebounds per game with an average of 17 minutes of gameplay per contest, but was dealt to Houston this past offseason.
“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 I’m able to have my full devotion to the Lord. I want to reach people more through my platforms.”
Having appeared in five games for Houston’s summer league team and with the 2024-25 NBA season fast approaching, the Texas product confirmed the circulating rumors of his withdrawal from Rockets camp.
“I’m doing good and I’m excited just to continue to keep doing the work of the Lord,” he said. “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 is 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.”
And for those conflicted between their work and their beliefs, Griffin attempted to provide some direction through the help of Matthew 6:33:
“Don’t worry about the outside noise. Focus on your personal relationship with Jesus, and everything else will be added,” he said. “‘First seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’”
Griffin, the son of former NBA star and current head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks Adrian Griffin, first came to Christ in 2020 during the COVID pandemic.
“This really has to start off with me giving my life to Christ in 2020,” he revealed. “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.”
Since then, Griffin has become one of the most prolific Scripture-posting athletes in not just the NBA but within the “big four” sporting leagues across North America. He has shared messages of biblical comfort, grief, solace, and strength via Instagram, Twitter, and his YouTube pages through a simple verse or message posted, sometimes in conjunction with a photo or image collage at times of happiness, sorrow, or confusion. His profile picture on Twitter is simply the name “Jesus” with a crown resting on the “J.”
“Jesus is coming sooner than the world thinks,” Griffin most recently tweeted in early October.
By opting to part ways with the Rockets and retire from his four-year, $17.1 million contract, Griffin will be waived, and his $3.9 million owed for the 2024-25 season will officially be no more.
“I don’t regret anything,” he said. “I am truly blessed with having that journey and having that testimony in saying that you can have all the riches in the world, but the only thing that truly matters is your relationship with Jesus. That’s what I want to share with you guys today. He’s the only one that can give you purpose. I feel like the Lord was calling me to let go of basketball to truly serve Him more.”
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