Over two years ago, the Atlanta Hawks selected forward AJ Griffin in the first round of the NBA Draft, fresh out of Duke. But before the 2024-25 season began, Griffin made a surprising announcement: he was stepping away from the NBA. Having played 92 games, averaging 7.5 points and 17.1 minutes per game, Griffin had been traded from the Hawks to the Houston Rockets during the offseason.
At a recent media day, Griffin explained the reason for his early retirement.
"I gave up basketball to follow Jesus," he said. "I know that in the eyes of the world, it may seem like a loss. But I’m beyond excited because this decision allows me to serve God fully, with all my heart and time. Stepping away from basketball is opening the door for me to go into full-time ministry, and I’m eager to see where this journey takes me."
Griffin's decision to retire stems from a commitment he made back in 2020, when he dedicated his life to Christ.
At just 21, the Texas native is not the first NBA player to put his career on hold for faith. Darren Collison, a former NBA point guard, retired a few years ago to focus on helping others through his Jehovah’s Witness faith.
While Griffin’s love for basketball remains, his focus has shifted entirely to his faith, similar to Collison's journey.
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