AJ Griffin Net Worth 2024 and Salary: AJ Griffin is a former NBA player who retired at age 21 to pursue ministry, with an estimated net worth of $7 million in 2024 and a final NBA salary of $3,712,920 for the 2023-24 season.
Key Takeaways
- AJ Griffin retired from the NBA at age 21 to pursue a religious calling.
- AJ Griffin estimated net worth is around $7 million from his brief NBA career.
- Griffin was the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft out of Duke University.
- He played 2 seasons for the Atlanta Hawks before being traded to Houston.
- Griffin comes from a basketball family – his father is former NBA player and coach Adrian Griffin.
AJ Griffin: The NBA Star Who Walked Away at 21
In a move that stunned the basketball world, AJ Griffin announced his retirement from the NBA at just 21 years old to pursue a religious calling. The former first-round draft pick walked away from a promising career and millions in future earnings to follow what he describes as God’s plan for his life. This article examines Griffin’s brief but impactful time in the NBA, his background, and the factors that led to his surprising decision.
Early Life and Background
Adrian Darnell Griffin Jr. was born on August 25, 2003 in Dallas, Texas. Basketball runs in the family blood – his father Adrian Griffin Sr. played in the NBA for nearly a decade before transitioning into coaching. The elder Griffin most recently served as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks for part of the 2023-24 season.
AJ grew up in a household steeped in basketball. His older brother Alan played college ball at Illinois and Syracuse, while his sister Aubrey suited up for the powerhouse University of Connecticut women’s program. From a young age, it was clear AJ had inherited the family’s athletic gifts.
High School Career and Recruitment
Griffin attended Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, where he quickly emerged as one of the top prospects in his class. As a sophomore in 2018-19, he averaged 20.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 3.5 blocks per game. His junior year was shortened by injury, but he still put up 17.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest.
Major college programs took notice of Griffin’s combination of size, athleticism and skill. He received scholarship offers from basketball blue bloods like Kentucky, Duke and Villanova. On November 4, 2019, Griffin announced his commitment to play for legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski at Duke University.
College Career at Duke
Griffin arrived at Duke for the 2021-22 season as part of a highly-touted freshman class. While he initially came off the bench, Griffin’s role expanded as the year progressed. He averaged 10.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 44.7% from three-point range.
His play earned him a spot on the ACC All-Freshman Team. Griffin’s outside shooting and defensive versatility made him an intriguing NBA prospect despite playing just one college season. He declared for the 2022 NBA draft, where he was projected as a potential lottery pick.
NBA Draft and Rookie Season
The Atlanta Hawks selected Griffin with the 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA draft. He signed a 4-year, $17.1 million rookie scale contract with the team on July 3, 2022. Griffin showed flashes of his potential during his rookie year, averaging 8.9 points and 2.1 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game. He shot 46.5% from the field and 39% from three-point range.
Among the highlights of Griffin’s rookie campaign were a pair of game-winning baskets. On November 19, 2022, he converted an alley-oop at the buzzer to defeat the Toronto Raptors. Less than a month later on December 11, Griffin again played hero with another game-winning alley-oop to beat the Chicago Bulls.
Second NBA Season and Trade
Griffin’s role diminished in his sophomore season with Atlanta. His minutes dropped to just 8.5 per game as he averaged 2.4 points and 0.9 rebounds. On June 27, 2024, the Hawks traded Griffin to the Houston Rockets as part of a three-team deal.
The change of scenery seemed like it might offer Griffin a chance at more playing time. However, reports soon emerged that he was considering stepping away from basketball entirely. On September 20, 2024, Griffin and the Rockets reached a buyout agreement, allowing him to sit out the season while contemplating his future.
Retirement Announcement
On September 29, 2024, Griffin made the stunning announcement that he was retiring from professional basketball at age 21. In a social media post, he explained: “I gave up basketball to follow Jesus.” Griffin expanded on his decision in subsequent interviews, saying he felt called to pursue full-time ministry work.
The news sent shockwaves through the NBA community. While some expressed confusion or disappointment, others praised Griffin for having the courage to walk away from fame and fortune to follow his convictions. His former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said he was “proud of AJ for staying true to himself.”
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Despite his abbreviated NBA career, Griffin was able to secure significant earnings during his time in the league. His rookie contract with Atlanta was worth $17.1 million over four years, though he only played out two seasons.
Griffin’s total NBA earnings are estimated at around $7.5 million. This includes his $7.25 million in salary from Atlanta plus a $250,000 buyout from Houston. His current net worth is believed to be in the $7 million range.
Had he continued his NBA career, Griffin stood to earn tens of millions more over the coming years. The 16th pick in his draft class, Alperen Sengun, recently signed a $78 million contract extension with Houston. Griffin likely would have been in line for a similar payday had he remained in the league.
Personal Life and Religious Faith
While Griffin has always been open about his Christian faith, his decision to retire took many by surprise. He frequently posted Bible verses and religious messages on social media during his playing career. However, the depth of his spiritual convictions wasn’t fully apparent until his retirement announcement.
Griffin has not publicly discussed any plans to marry or start a family. His focus appears to be solely on his newfound religious calling for the time being. He has expressed interest in pursuing formal theological education to prepare for a career in ministry.
Legacy and Impact
Though his NBA career lasted just two seasons, Griffin left his mark on the league. His game-winning shots as a rookie showed his clutch ability and athleticism. Griffin’s decision to walk away from basketball at such a young age will likely be remembered as one of the more unusual stories in recent NBA history.
His courage in following his convictions, even at great personal cost, has earned Griffin respect from many. While some may question his choice, Griffin seems at peace with his decision to pursue what he views as a higher calling. His story serves as a reminder that there is more to life than sports and money for many athletes.
Latest News
On September 29, 2024, AJ Griffin took to social media to explain his decision to retire from professional basketball at the age of 21. In a post that quickly went viral, Griffin stated simply: “I gave up basketball to follow Jesus.”
This announcement came after weeks of speculation following his buyout agreement with the Houston Rockets. Griffin’s decision has sparked widespread discussion in the sports world and beyond.
Many of Griffin’s peers and former teammates have reacted to the news. Notably, Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray expressed his support for Griffin’s choice. Murray, known for his own strong religious beliefs, commented on social media that he respects Griffin’s decision to prioritize his faith over his basketball career.
The basketball community has been divided in its response. Some have praised Griffin for his courage in walking away from a lucrative career to pursue what he believes is his true calling. Others have expressed disappointment or confusion, questioning whether Griffin might regret his decision in the future.
Religious leaders and faith-based organizations have largely applauded Griffin’s move, seeing it as an inspiring example of someone putting spiritual convictions above worldly success and fame.
As the news continues to reverberate through sports media, many are curious about Griffin’s next steps. While he has not provided specific details about his future plans, sources close to Griffin suggest he may pursue formal theological education or engage in missionary work.
This latest development caps off a whirlwind two years for Griffin, from being a first-round draft pick to retiring before his third NBA season could begin. As the story unfolds, it’s clear that AJ Griffin’s impact may ultimately be felt far beyond the basketball court.
AJ Griffin’s journey from top NBA prospect to retiree at 21 is a unique tale in professional sports. While his on-court legacy may be limited, Griffin’s willingness to give up millions and fame to follow his faith will not soon be forgotten. As he transitions to the next phase of his life, the basketball world will be watching with great interest to see what impact Griffin makes off the court.
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