Forward AJ Griffin, promise of the Rockets 21 years old, has decided to take a drastic turn in his life and give up the dream of NBA to “follow God”. The American has broken his contract with the Houston franchise, news that was already rumored in recent weeks, and has explained his reasons for making this decision.
“I have left basketball to follow Jesus. This all started in 2020 when Christ entered my life. Basketball was my passion, my reason for living, but When I found God he showed me that we are all made to glorify himthat we all have a mission that has been entrusted to us,” he says in a YouTube video.
Thus, the young athlete puts an end, at least momentarily, to his NBA career. A trajectory that started in 2022 when he was chosen 16th in the draft for the Hawks.
In his first season in the NBA he averaged 8.9 points with 39% in triples and 19.5 minutes on the court over 72 games. In the next his statistics dropped, playing 8.6 minutes in 20 games and 2.4 points with 25.6% from the arc.
During all that time, AJ Griffin went through several injuries and even decided to take a break for personal reasons. Upon his return, he said: “I’m glad to be back. It’s been great that the team was able to support me during this time. “I want to be brief and not reveal everything.”
Now, with his drastic decision made, he states: “Leaving basketball allows me to dedicate myself to the Church full time and to serve God with all my heart. “This may be a defeat in the eyes of many people, but I want you all to know that I am very excited.”
AJ, who was going to earn $3.6 million this year, was named the best high school player in the state of New York. He had a promising future ahead of him. He had not yet debuted in the regular season with the Rocketsa franchise he joined in the summer, but is now ending his career to answer God’s call.
