Report: AJ Griffin To "Step Away" From Basketball

A shocking development ahead of camp for the Houston Rockets, as 21-year-old forward AJ Griffin is "seriously considering stepping away from basketball" according to Shams Charania, and he and the Rockets are "preparing for his departure from the game."

Just in: Houston Rockets F AJ Griffin is seriously considering stepping away from basketball, sources tell me and @KellyIko. Griffin, 21, was the No. 16 pick in the 2022 NBA draft to Atlanta, then traded to Houston this summer. Sides are preparing for his departure from the game. pic.twitter.com/AyNp1rF4MI
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 12, 2024

Griffin was a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft (No. 16 overall) by the Atlanta Hawks. He was traded to the Rockets for the 44th pick in this year's draft back in June.

Griffin's father is former Milwaukee Bucks head coach and Toronto Raptors assistant Adrian Griffin. He was relieved of his duties during his first year at the helm in Milwaukee last season.

The reason for the younger Griffin stepping away has not yet been revealed, though there are known to be some personal issues in the family.

There were high hopes for the 6'6" small forward coming out of Duke in '22 and he had a very promising rookie season in Atlanta, averaging nine points and 39% on threes in 72 games, and just about 20 minutes a night.

His sophomore season saw a significant dropoff, to just 2.4 points per game and 25.6% shooting from long range, in just eight minutes a night over 20 games.