AJ Griffin has reached a buyout agreement with the Houston Rockets (NBAE via Getty)
AJ Griffin has announced his retirement from the NBA at the age of 21 in order to become a minister.
Griffin was selected as the 16th pick in the 2022 NBA draft by the Atalanta Hawks and signed a four-year deal worth $17.1 million (£12.8m).
In June, Griffin was traded to the Houston Rockets but last month the team reached a buyout agreement with the forward.
Griffin, who is the son of former NBA forward and Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin, has now decided to step away from the sport to pursue a career in religion.
‘To bring it all down to a short summary, I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,’ Griffin said on his YouTube channel.
AJ Griffin played for two NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks (Getty)
‘I know that in a lot of people’s eyes, this seems like a loss, but I just want to let you guys know I’m super excited because I truly get to serve God with my full, ‘yes’.
‘I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to go into full-time ministry and truly serve the Lord with all my heart, with all my time too, as well. I’m just excited where that leads me.
‘I just want to go through the steps of how I came to this realisation that I want to let go of basketball and follow God.
‘This really has to start off with me giving my life to Christ in 2020. I truly accepted him back then, He found me. I know we say we find God, but He finds us.
‘This decision may seem crazy or abnormal to the world but I’m not here to please man but only my Father in Heaven. I’m looking forward to the plans God has for me up ahead, to share his good news of Salvation and a closer relationship with Jesus. Any questions regarding this video, let me know in the comment section.
‘With that being said, I hope this video encourages others to take a leap of faith, with trusting in God and giving him your full yes in whatever that may look like to you.’
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Source:: Metro
