A few days ago, we learned of the surprising choice ofAJ Griffin : free himself from his guaranteed contract with the Rockets and move away from the courts, at only 21 years old!
Since then, everyone has been wondering the reason behind this sudden and unexpected decision and, on his channel YouTubethe 16th choice of the 2022 Draft gave details. “ I gave up basketball to follow Jesus » he said at the start of the video.
“ I know that to many people it looks like a failure, but I want to tell you that I am so excited and enthusiastic, because I really can serve God completely. Leaving basketball allows me to become a full-time pastor and truly serve the Lord with all my heart and all my time » continued AJ Griffin, who failed to establish himself in Atlanta despite a promising rookie year and who was transferred to Houston this summer.
At peace with his choice, Adrian Griffin's son does not yet know if he will ever play basketball again, because he explains that he understood from 2020 that devoting himself to God was ultimately his reason for living. He is now ready to become a pastor and begin this new chapter of his life.
AJ Griffin is not the first basketball player to leave the NBA to devote himself to religion, Darren Collison having notably done the same a few years ago… before trying, without success, to come back.
| AJ Griffin, Jr. | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2022-23 | ATL | 72 | 20 | 46.5 | 39.0 | 89.4 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 8.9 |
| 2023-24 | ATL | 20 | 9 | 29.0 | 25.6 | 100.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 2.4 |
| Total | 92 | 17 | 44.7 | 37.2 | 89.8 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 7.5 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
