Promised for a bright future in the NBA, AJ Griffin has nevertheless decided to end his basketball career. At 21, just two years after being selected in 16e position of the Draft by the Hawks, the Houston Rockets winger withdrew from the group for personal reasons. Or spiritual, even, to be very precise.
“I’m giving up basketball to follow Jesus. I know that in the eyes of the world, this news looks like a defeat but know that I am very happy”he explained Sunday September 29 on social networks. The 1.98 player decided to leave the courts to become a pastor and devote himself to religion.
“I am very excited because I am going to serve God. Giving up basketball allows me to devote myself to full-time ministry and truly serve the Lord with all my heart. » The player explains that he became a Christian in 2020, the year he decided to be baptized.
“The best decision of my life”
“It was the best decision of my life, really. I think my values started to change, he confides. Before, basketball was my everything, it was my reason for living. As I turned to God, He showed me that we are made to glorify God. »
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Griffin is the son of fullback Adrian Griffin, former coach of the Bucks. AJ Griffin played 72 games as a rookie with Atlanta, but only appeared on the floor 20 times last season. He was traded to the Rockets in the offseason, in a deal that included the Miami Heat. Houston indicated a few days ago that it was lifting AJ Griffin’s contract with a view to his retirement from sports.
