AJ Griffin, a highly touted high school prospect who spent his initial two NBA seasons with the Atlanta Hawks, is reportedly contemplating retirement. According to Shams Charania and Kelly Iko of The Athletic, both Griffin and his current team, the Houston Rockets, are preparing for his announcement to leave basketball for good.
The reason behind Griffin’s potential decision to retire at just 21 remains unclear. Last season was challenging for him, as he played only 20 games due to persistent leg issues and missed the beginning of the season for personal reasons. Upon his return to the Hawks in December, Griffin expressed his gratitude for the team’s support but chose not to elaborate on his time away.
Drafted 16th overall in 2022 from Duke, Griffin displayed potential during his rookie season, participating in 72 games and averaging 8.9 points per game with a 39 percent shooting rate from three-point range. He was traded to Houston for the 44th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft earlier this year.
