NBA player AJ Griffin explains why he abruptly retired at 21: 'I gave up basketball to follow Jesus'

More than 2 years ago, the Atlanta Hawks selected guardant AJ Griffin successful the archetypal circular of the NBA Draft retired of Duke.

However, earlier the 2024-25 play tipped off, Griffin announced helium was stepping distant from the NBA. He had played successful 92 games and averaged 7.5 points and 17.1 minutes per game. He was traded from the Hawks to the Houston Rockets successful the offseason.

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Atlanta Hawks defender AJ Griffin, #14, photographed during Hawks Media Day successful Atlanta connected Oct. 2, 2023. (Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports)

He explained connected Sunday wherefore helium decided to discontinue from basketball.

"I gave up hoops to travel Jesus," helium said. "And I cognize that successful a batch of people's eyes, that seems like, it seems similar a nonaccomplishment successful the world's eyes. But I conscionable privation to fto you guys cognize that I'm ace excited due to the fact that I genuinely get to service God, you know, with my afloat Yes, and I consciousness similar letting spell of hoops is allowing maine to, you know, spell into full-time ministry and genuinely serving the Lord with each my bosom -- with each my clip too, arsenic well. So, I'm conscionable excited to spot wherever that leads me."

Griffin said his determination stemmed from giving his "full beingness to Christ" backmost successful 2020.

Atlanta Hawks guardant AJ Griffin, #14, dribbles against the Washington Wizards successful the archetypal fractional astatine State Farm Arena successful Atlanta connected April 5, 2023. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

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The 21-year-old Texas autochthonal is not the lone NBA subordinate who has decided to enactment his vocation connected clasp and dedicate his beingness to faith.

Darren Collison retired from the NBA for a fewer years to assistance the little fortunate done the Jehovah’s Witness faith.

Atlanta Hawks guardant AJ Griffin, #14, boxes retired Indiana Pacers guardant Jalen Smith, #25, successful the 2nd fractional astatine State Farm Arena successful Atlanta connected March 25, 2023. (Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

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"While I inactive emotion basketball, I cognize determination is thing much important, which is my household and my faith," helium said successful a missive to Andscape astatine the time. "I americium 1 of Jehovah's Witnesses and my religion means everything to me. I person truthful overmuch joyousness from volunteering to assistance others and enactment successful a worldwide ministry. The joyousness I consciousness is unmatched. With that being said, I person decided to discontinue from the NBA."

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