NBA Player Gives Up Basketball to ‘Serve God’
By Movieguide® Contributor
At just 21 years old and only in his second season with the Atlanta Hawks, AJ Griffin has decided to give up his NBA career to serve Jesus.
“I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” he explained on his YouTube channel. “And I know that in a lot of people’s eyes, that…seems like a loss in the world’s eyes. But I just want to let you guys know that I’m super excited because I truly get to serve God, you know, with my full Yes, and I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to, you know, go into full-time ministry and truly serving the Lord with all my heart — with all my time too, as well. So, I’m just excited to see where that leads me.”
He went on to explain what led him to the decision.
“This decision may seem crazy or abnormal to the world, but I’m not here to please man but only my Father in Heaven,” he wrote in the caption of the video. “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.”
According to PEOPLE, “Griffin, who entered the NBA Draft after a standout freshman season at Duke University in 2021, says he ‘gave [his] life to Christ in 2020’ and ‘truly accepted’ religion during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
“He found me,” Griffin said as he explained his faith transformation. “I gave my life to Christ and it was the best decision of my life, it truly was. I think my values started to change, my heart started to change.”
He frequently speaks about his faith on social media. In a message he shared in July following the blasphemous Olympics opening ceremony, he reminded his followers that Jesus is coming “very soon.”
“Jesus came as a lamb? but he’s coming back as a lion?,” he wrote. “I’m not surprise with all the blasphemy but more concerned for everyone’s souls. I pray you come to repentance, to truly come to know Jesus Christ as your lord and savior. God loves you but he won’t be mocked.”
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