In a surprising move, 21-year-old NBA player A.J. Griffin has announced his retirement from professional basketball to dedicate his life to full-time ministry. Griffin, who was selected by the Atlanta Hawks as the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, shared his decision in a recent video.
Griffin explained that his decision to leave basketball was driven by his faith. 'I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,' he stated. 'I know that in a lot of people's eyes, that seems like a loss. But I just want to let you guys know that I'm super excited because I truly get to serve God with my full yes.'
Background and Career
A.J. Griffin had a promising start to his NBA career, playing for the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to the Houston Rockets this summer. However, the Rockets recently bought out his contract and waived him, paving the way for his retirement. Griffin played in 92 games, averaging 7.5 points and 17.1 minutes per game.
Faith and Ministry
Griffin's decision to retire from basketball stems from his commitment to his faith. He became a Christian in 2020, which he described as 'the best decision of my life.' This transformation changed his values and heart, shifting his focus from basketball to serving God. 'When you come to Christ, your identity is in Christ,' Griffin emphasized.
Griffin is excited about the opportunity to spread the gospel and reach more people through his social media platforms. He addressed the question of why he couldn't continue playing basketball while following God, saying, 'You can have all the riches in the world, but the only thing that truly matters is the relationship with Jesus.' He believes that serving God full-time is where he is called to be.
Griffin encouraged others to walk by faith and not by sight, referencing 2 Corinthians 5:7. He also emphasized the importance of focusing on one's personal relationship with Jesus, citing Matthew 6:33, and assured his followers that God provides and works things out for good.
Future Plans
As Griffin embarks on this new journey, he expressed his excitement about what the future holds. 'I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to go into full-time ministry and truly serving the Lord with all my heart, and with all my time too,' he said. Griffin is looking forward to seeing where this new path leads him and has thanked his supporters for their understanding and encouragement.
