Rockets’ AJ Griffin Retires From NBA At Age 21 ‘To Follow Jesus,’ Enter Ministry

September 29, 2024

Rockets guard/forward AJ Griffin explained his decision to retire from the NBA, saying he wants “to follow Jesus” and enter the ministry.

Griffin, 21, was the No. 16 overall pick out of Duke by the Hawks in the 2022 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Rockets in a three-team deal with the Heat in late June.

The Rockets and Griffin agreed to a contract buyout on Sept. 20, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle.

“I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” Griffin said on social media. “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 is the son of former Bucks coach and ex-NBA forward Adrian Griffin. The younger Griffin appeared in 72 games as a rookie, but just 20 last season. He carries career averages of 7.5 points and 1.9 rebounds, shooting 37.2% on 3-pointers.

He said he became a Christian in 2020, at which time he was baptized.

Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, a former teammate of Griffin’s in Atlanta, responded to Griffin’s announcement.

“Love YOU Always Bro!!!” Murray wrote. “Forever With You!!”