A former first-round NBA draft selection is quitting basketball to become a priest.
AJ Griffin, the Atlanta Hawks’ 16th choice in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft, said in a video on Sunday that he is leaving the sport “to follow Jesus.”
“I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” Griffin stated. “And I realize that, from the perspective of many people, that appears to be a loss for the rest of the world.” But I just wanted to let you know that I’m super excited because I’ll be able to serve God with my whole ‘yes,’ and I believe that giving up basketball will allow me to enter full-time ministry and genuinely serve the Lord with all of my heart, as well as all of my time. So, I’m really thrilled to see where this takes me.”
Griffin used his seven-minute video to explain his choice and what prompted it.
“This decision may appear crazy or unusual to the world, but I’m not here to please man, only my Father in Heaven,” he stated in the video’s description.
Griffin, who joined the NBA Draft following a stellar freshman season at Duke University in 2021, claims he “gave [his] life to Christ in 2020” and “truly accepted” Christianity during the COVID-19 epidemic.
Griffin grinned as he described what happened next. “He found me.” “I devoted my life to Christ, and it was without a doubt the finest decision I ever made. I guess my ideals and heart began to shift.”
Griffin, the son of former NBA coach and player Adrian Griffin, stated that basketball was his entire life before embracing Christianity in 2020. “That was the reason I was living,” Griffin said, adding that when he discovered God, he understood that his love was religion.
In recent years, the basketball player has utilized his social media platforms to read from the Bible, talk religion, and offer inspirational religious counsel.
“You can see how I just love spreading the good news of the gospel because I know how much it’s changed my life,” Griffin said in his introduction video, adding, “I want to reach more people through my platforms.” I believe that sums up my testimony as to why I abandoned basketball.”
CBS Sports recently reported that Griffin underperformed throughout the NBA’s summer league season after his move from Atlanta to the Houston Rockets. According to the Houston Chronicle, the Rockets paid $250,000 to buy out Griffin’s contract, bringing his brief career with the franchise to an end.
Griffin looks to be moving away from basketball altogether.
“Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey,” Griffin said in the video description. “As I step out of one season of my life, I’m excited to step into a new one with my Lord and Savior.”