In 2024, AJ Griffin decided to retire from professional basketball at the age of 21.
The former No.16 overall pick was waived by the Houston Rockets after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks, choosing to dedicate his life to ministry instead.
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Speaking in a video posted to his YouTube channel, Griffin said that he was dedicating his life to Jesus Christ and would like to become a full-time minister.
“To bring it all down to a short summary, I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” he said.
“I know that in a lot of people’s eyes, this seems like a loss, but I just want to let you guys know I’m super excited because I truly get to serve God with my full Yes.
“I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to go into full-time ministry and truly serve the Lord with all my heart, with all my time too, as well. I’m just excited where that leads me.
“I just want to go through the steps of how I came to this realization that I want to let go of basketball and follow God.”
“This really has to start off with me giving my life to Christ in 2020. I truly accepted him back then, He found me. I know we say we find God, but He finds us.”
Pelicans guard Dejounte Murray, a former teammate of Griffin’s in Atlanta, responded to the announcement at the time.
“Love YOU Always Bro!!!” Murray wrote. “Forever With You!!”
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Fans also shared their support to Griffin and wished him well on his new journey.
“All the best to AJ Griffin,” posted on fan on X.
“Stay blessed AJ,” wrote another.
Forward Griffin is a a former five-star recruit who played one season at Duke.
He was drafted 16th overall by the Hawks in the 2022 NBA draft, signing a four-year, $17,106,137 contract with the franchise including $17,106,137 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $4,276,534.
Griffin, the son of former Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin, spent two seasons in Atlanta, averaging 7.5 points and 1.9 rebounds across 92 contests (12 starts).
He largely fell out of the rotation, however, and only appeared in 20 games.
Griffin spent time away from the team in December of that year for personal reasons.
He was later traded to the Rockets in a three-team deal with Atlanta and the Miami Heat.
The trade saw Nikola Djurisic, the No. 43 overall pick in this year’s draft, sent to the Hawks and cash considerations and Pelle Larsson (the No. 44 overall pick in this year’s draft) sent to Miami.
Griffin isn’t the only NBA pro to undertake a major career change, although it’s rare to see during an athlete’s actual playing days.
Michael Jordan’s former 7ft teammate is now running a chain of successful BBQ restaurants.
A 14x All-Star who made $100m is now a long-distance truck driver and fast food mogul.
Six-time NBA All-Star and two-time scoring champion Adrian Dantley retired in 1991 after a 15-year playing career that saw him become the Utah Jazz’s all-time scoring leader.
Upon retiring, the 69-year-old worked as a crossing guard for two hours a day, helping children safely cross the busy roads near schools in Silver Spring, Maryland.
According to Montgomery County civil service records, the job earned Dantley just $14,685.50 a year – despite the fact he made over $3.5 million during his playing days and still reportedly lives nearby in a home he bought for $1.1 million in 1990.
