Greater than two years in the past, the Atlanta Hawks chosen ahead AJ Griffin within the first spherical of the NBA Draft out of Duke.
Nevertheless, earlier than the 2024-25 season tipped off, Griffin introduced he was stepping away from the NBA. He had performed in 92 video games and averaged 7.5 factors and 17.1 minutes per sport. He was traded from the Hawks to the Houston Rockets within the offseason.
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He defined on Sunday why he determined to retire from basketball.
“I gave up basketball to observe Jesus,” he mentioned. “And I do know that in lots of people’s eyes, that looks like, it looks like a loss on the earth’s eyes. However I simply wish to allow you to guys know that I am tremendous excited as a result of I really get to serve God, , with my full Sure, and I really feel like letting go of basketball is permitting me to, , go into full-time ministry and actually serving the Lord with all my coronary heart — with all my time too, as effectively. So, I am simply excited to see the place that leads me.”
Griffin mentioned his determination stemmed from giving his “full life to Christ” again in 2020.
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The 21-year-old Texas native is just not the one NBA participant who has determined to place his profession on maintain and dedicate his life to religion.
Darren Collison retired from the NBA for a couple of years to assist the much less lucky by the Jehovah’s Witness religion.
“Whereas I nonetheless love basketball, I do know there’s something extra essential, which is my household and my religion,” he mentioned in a letter to Andscape on the time. “I’m one among Jehovah’s Witnesses and my religion means all the things to me. I obtain a lot pleasure from volunteering to assist others and take part in a worldwide ministry. The enjoyment I really feel is unmatched. With that being mentioned, I’ve determined to retire from the NBA.”
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