Basic Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Adrian Griffin Jr. (commonly AJ Griffin) |
| Born | August 25, 2003 |
| Birthplace | Dallas, Texas |
| Raised | Ossining, New York |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) |
| Weight | ~220 lb (100 kg) |
| High school | Archbishop Stepinac (White Plains, NY) |
| Recruiting rank | Five-star recruit; McDonald’s All-American |
| College | Duke University (2021–22) |
| College 3PT% | 44.7% (2021–22 season) |
| NBA Draft | 2022, 1st round, 16th overall (Atlanta Hawks) |
| NBA career | 2022–2024 (Atlanta Hawks; briefly with Houston Rockets organization) |
| Rookie contract | 4 years, $17,106,137 (signed 2022) |
| Buyout | Waived after a $250,000 buyout (2024) |
| Retirement | Announced late 2024 to pursue full-time ministry |
| Reported net worth / career earnings | Career earnings ≈ $7.5 million; reported net worth ≈ $7 million |
Early life and high school promise
Griffin, born in Dallas on August 25, 2003, grew raised in Ossining, New York, in the Hudson Valley. Basketball lived at home. At Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, scouts rated him a five-star prospect: athletic, fundamentally sound, versatile on the wing. He graduated high school as a McDonald’s All-American and a prominent young shooter and defender.
College: a single, efficient season at Duke (2021–22)
After joining Duke in 2021–22, AJ made an immediate impact. He shot 44.7% from three in his only college year and spaced the floor at a program known for developing NBA-ready wing players. He had to cut well, spot up, defend when asked, and take good shots. He had a significant offensive role in Duke’s 2022 Final Four run, demonstrating unselfish basketball and good decision-making.
Draft, rookie contract, and early NBA tenure (2022–24)
Griffin, drafted 16th overall by the Atlanta Hawks in 2022, got a four-year rookie contract worth $17,106,137–an average annual value near $4.3 million. Duke’s mid-first-round wing was expected to develop on the perimeter, navigate NBA defenses, and become a two-way starter. He played 2 seasons in the league (2022–2024) with different minutes and roles. Despite changing coaches, his floor spacing and shooting technique were his finest qualities.
In June 2024, he was traded to the Houston Rockets for the No. 44 draft pick, but the move did not work out. After a $250,000 buyout, AJ left the league, surprising many.
The decision to retire and pursue ministry (late 2024)
After two professional seasons, AJ Griffin retired at 21 to preach the Gospel full-time. The buyout and meditation led to this change from professional athletics to religion. After leaving a multi-year rookie contract to pursue his beliefs, his early earnings—reported career income at $7.5 million and net worth estimates around $7 million—made the career change possible.
Family background and the basketball household
The Griffins are a family steeped in basketball. The household produced multiple Division I players and has strong ties to the NBA.
| Family member | Role / Notable facts |
|---|---|
| Adrian Griffin Sr. (father) | Former NBA player (career span roughly 1999–2008), later an NBA coach; assistant on a 2019 championship staff and head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks through 2024; holds advanced degrees including a master’s and doctorate. |
| Audrey Griffin (mother) | Family matriarch; credited with steadying influence and primary support for the children’s athletic pursuits. |
| Alan Griffin (brother) | Older brother; played Division I basketball at Illinois and Syracuse; part of the sibling basketball narrative. |
| Aubrey Griffin (sister) | Women’s college standout; won a national championship with UConn in 2024 as a forward. |
| Extended family | The children were often described as the “Three A’s” — Alan, Aubrey, and Adrian Jr. — a shorthand for the family’s basketball lineage. |
Adrian Sr. modeled and coached his children. He won an NBA title as an assistant after playing in almost 400 NBA games. This professional background impacted AJ’s early development and expectations.
Private life, loss, and public silence
Public accounts depicted the 2023 death of a 2-year-old grandson as natural, leaving the family devastated. Adrian Jr. has kept his personal relationships less public than his sporting achievements. His social media presence is limited to birthday mentions, shooting form throwbacks, and fan views on his Duke-to-NBA journey.
Financial and career notes
Numbers affect sports and life decisions. AJ’s four-year rookie contract was over $17 million; he played two seasons and earned $7.5 million. After the 2024 buyout and retirement, he traded NBA revenue for full-time ministry. Net worth estimations were near $7 million due to early career earnings and the cost of leaving rookie years.
Achievements and honors (at a glance)
| Year | Achievement |
|---|---|
| 2021 | McDonald’s All-American (high school honor) |
| 2021–22 | Key offensive contributor at Duke; 44.7% 3PT for the season |
| 2022 | Drafted 16th overall, NBA Draft |
| 2019 (family) | Father Adrian Sr. part of NBA championship coaching staff |
| 2024 (family) | Sister Aubrey: NCAA national champion with UConn |
FAQ
When was Adrian Griffin Jr. born?
Adrian Griffin Jr. was born on August 25, 2003.
How tall and heavy is he?
He is listed at 6 ft 6 in (198 cm) and about 220 lb (100 kg).
Where did he play college basketball?
He played one season at Duke University during the 2021–22 season.
What was his college three-point percentage?
He shot 44.7% from three-point range in the 2021–22 college season.
When and where was he drafted into the NBA?
He was selected 16th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
How long did he play in the NBA?
His NBA career spanned two professional seasons, from 2022 to 2024.
Why did he retire?
He retired in late 2024 at age 21 to pursue full-time ministry and preaching.
Who is his father and what is his background?
Adrian Griffin Sr., his father, won an NBA title as an assistant in 2019 and as a head coach till 2024.
Does he have siblings who play basketball?
Yes — an older brother, Alan, who played at Illinois and Syracuse, and a sister, Aubrey, who won a national championship with UConn in 2024.
What were his reported career earnings and net worth?
Reported career earnings are around $7.5 million, with an estimated net worth near $7 million.
