Former NBA star AJ Griffin is just 21 years old, but the young man knows a thing or two about sacrifice.
Following what he believes is the call of God, the basketball star has recently made the decision to leave the NBA and go into full-time ministry.
In 2020, Griffin gave his life to Jesus and said “it was the best decision” he had ever made. As he developed his relationship with God, Griffin says his values and heart started to change. Where he had once treated basketball as his “everything,” he now had something bigger to put first in his life.
“We say we find God, but He finds us,” Griffin said in the video.
“... I think basketball is so-called my passion. I thought that was the reason why I was living, but when I came to God, He truly showed me that we’re all made to glorify God, we’re all made with a purpose, a God-given purpose—but we must step into that.”
Although the way he looked at the sport had changed, Griffin still continued playing basketball. In 2021, the 5-star high school recruit chose to play for Duke University after graduating from Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York.
“I was allowed by God’s grace and mercy to spread the good news of the gospel wherever I went,” Griffin said.
Sharing his faith came easily to Griffin during those years, and it’s something he still enjoys doing today. He often talks about his spiritual journey on social media and offers advice to other believers.
“I don’t regret anything. I truly am blessed to have that journey,” Griffin said of his years in basketball, adding that a person can have all the riches in the world, but what truly matters is one’s relationship with God.
In September this year, Griffin made a momentous decision when he sensed that his love for the word of God may be leading him in a different direction than basketball. Anchored by his faith, Griffin chose to leave the NBA and go into ministry.
With this decision, the young basketball star is leaving behind all the fame and fortune that he was projected to make as a professional star basketball player. But Griffin believes his faith is worth sacrificing for and says God is “the only One that can fulfill you.”
“He’s the only One that can give you purpose. I feel like the Lord was calling me to let go of basketball truly just to serve Him more,” he said in a video explaining his choice.
Many have asked, “Why can’t you follow God and play basketball?”
It is possible, Griffin says in the video—and indeed, he did do it for a short time in his years at Duke and the NBA—but ultimately, he felt God telling him to let go of basketball and focus on Him instead.
Working for the NBA was just a season in his life, Griffin says in the video, and seasons pass. Now, he’s ready for a new season.
“I’m doing good, and I’m excited just to continue to keep doing the work of the Lord,” he said.
