AJ Griffin Gives Up High-Paying Career with NBA to Follow God
October 15, 2024
AJ Griffin gives up his high-paying career with the NBA to follow God.
Achieving fame and fortune is the ultimate dream for most people. Unfortunately, many will go to great lengths—legal or otherwise—and sacrifice nearly everything in their lives for an opportunity to become wealthy and famous. That’s why when someone achieves this dream and this goal and turns their back on money and fame, it can leave many confused and confounded.
The Young Man Steps Away From The NBA And A Life Of Fame And Fortune
So, when AJ, a 21-year-old professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks, decided to retire unexpectedly, many were probably immediately confused and taken aback. Did he suffer a career-ending injury? That was more than likely what most people believed caused the young man to give up a lucrative basketball career.
RELATED: Single Dad Gave up Everything for His Son, Then God Spoke to Him in His Greatest Time of Need
But that was not the case at all.
In a video posted on YouTube, the young man explains his reasoning for stepping away from basketball. Instead, and not because of an injury, AJ gave up basketball to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and to go into ministry full-time.
“To bring it all down, in a short summary: I gave up basketball to follow Jesus,” AJ said. “And I know that in a lot of people’s eyes that seems like, 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.”
Later in the clip, AJ states retiring from the NBA was what he needed to do to serve the Lord “with all my heart, with all my time, too.”
RELATED: Not a Day Went by That She Didn't Think about Baby She Gave Up 33 Years Ago, Then They Met
Basketball Took A Back Seat In AJ's Life After Accepting Christ In 2020
In the video, after explaining why he gave up basketball, AJ shows how this decision was not something that happened overnight. He then explains the steps as to how he made to make this change in life.
In 2020, AJ gave his life to Jesus Christ, calling it “the best decision of my life.”
“He found me,” AJ said. “I know we say, ‘We found God,’ but He finds us.”
From that point forward, Christ started to work in AJ’s heart and life. He says that his heart and values began to change. Basketball, a big part of his life, took a back seat and was no longer his top priority.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Nice Guy Chris Pratt Accidentally Gave Away A Trip On TV
According to The EPOCH Times, AJ played one season for Duke University, leading them to the final four, before entering the NBA. In the 2022 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets took him 16th overall.
AJ Is Excited For The Future Christ Has In Store For Him
In the description of the YouTube video in which AJ explains his reasoning for stepping away from basketball, he writes about his excitement for the future.
“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,” he writes.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2
WATCH: AJ Griffin Explains Why He Stepped From The NBA To Serve Jesus Christ
LISTEN: Dennis Quaid and Jonathan Roumie in Hilarious 'Reagan Meets Jesus' Viral Video
h/t: YouTube.com/AJ Griffin & The Epoch Times
Featured Image Credit: YouTube.com/AJ Griffin
RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Receive the Father’s Love - Your Daily Prayer - February 13
When earthly love falls short, God’s love remains. This prayer invites you into the healing embrace of a Father who will never leave you.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer to Receive the Father’s Love - Your Daily Prayer - February 13
When earthly love falls short, God’s love remains. This prayer invites you into the healing embrace of a Father who will never leave you.
Past Stories
- Motherhood Fuels Elana Meyers Taylor as She Competes in Her Historic Fifth Olympics
- Top 25 Christian Songs Named for Bible Verses - Scripture Inspired Hymns
- 39 Best Birthday Bible Verses For A Son To Celebrate With Scripture
- When Peace Is Disrupted
- Florida Man is a True Hero After Saving Two Toddlers He Found in the Middle of a Busy Street
- Family of Young Boy Who Almost Drowned Meets the 911 Dispatcher That Helped Save His Life
- Neighbor Risks His Life to Save a Mother and Her Children From a House Fire
- Woman Receives a Letter in the Mail From 1953 and Figures Out Who It Belongs To
- Can You Lose Your Salvation?
- 10 Classic Christian Sunday School Songs That Kids Love To Sing
- 37 Best Birthday Bible Verses For A Daughter To Bless Her Special Day With Scripture
- These Two Mini Goldendoodles Are the Best Part of This Wisconsin Hotel
- After His Truck Became a Meme, the Community Stepped Up With a Huge Act of Kindness
- 15 Comforting Christian Songs for a Death or Tragedy
- What This Waitress Leaves For These Tired Firefighters Is So Touching I Cried!
- Woman Gives Birth Without Knowing She Was Pregnant, Leaving Her and Her Husband in Awe
- One Small Act of Kindness at a Pharmacy Led to an Unexpected Blessing
- After Years of Waiting and Loss, This Couple’s Path to Parenthood Took a Beautiful Turn
- 200 Hamburgers, Endless Smiles: Shelter Dogs Get a Feast They’ll Never Forget
- Meeting God in The Quiet
- What Began as a DNA Test Became a Father-Son Reunion Years in the Making
- A Simple Flea Market Visit in Kentucky Leads to an Incredible Family Reunion With the Past
- She Found a Lost Wallet on the Subway, Not Knowing How Returning it Would Change Her Life
- Supercentenarian Celebrates Her 111th Birthday and a Life Well Lived With Family and Friends
- Finding Love Again at 78, This Loving Couple Met at Church and Married Four Months Later
- Siblings Are Heroes After Saving Their Bus Driver and Keeping the Other Kids Calm
- Brave Father Runs Back Into Burning Home to Rescue His Daughter From House Fire
- The Power of Your Mouth
- Born in the Middle of World War I, This 108-Year-Old is Still Going Strong
- Diagnosed With Bone Cancer, Young Soldier Reunites With the Dog He Loved Overseas
- Baby Boy Born in a Carl's Jr. Parking Lot After Parents Didn't Make it to the Hospital On Time
- Landlord Surprises His Tenants By Offering Free Rent in November and December
- Birthday Boy Saves Friend From Drowning at His Own Pool Party
- His Girlfriend Had Sweet Memories of Bass Pro Shops, So That's Where Her Boyfriend Proposed
- Proud Parents Get a Surprise Visit From Their Soldier Son After Over a Year Apart
- Into the Deep End
- 93-Year-Old Grandfather Travels 40 Hours to Surprise His Grandson on His Wedding Day
- Trapped in a Burning Car, She Honked for Help, and a Brave Officer Saved Her Life
- Texas City Offers Something Special and Heartwarming With Their 'Grandma Stand'
- At 100, Wisconsin Navy Veteran Founded a Church and Still Serves as a Crossing Guard
- New York Police Officer Reunites With Woman He Helped on a Cold Winter Day
- When They Feared Losing Their Newborn, They Prayed for a Miracle, Then He Pulled Through
- Family Battling Daughter’s Rare Illness Gets the Perfect Secret Santa Surprise
- When a Loyal Customer Didn’t Show Up, This Chef Followed His Heart and Saved Him
- When a Comment Hits Deeper Than Expected
- 67-Year-Old California Man Saves His Family From Fire After Jumping From 2nd Floor Window
- Hiker is Rescued at Utah's Arches National Park After Getting Stuck in Quicksand
Top Artists
Top Music Videos
Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin’s Powerful Live Rendition of ‘The First Hymn’ Will Stir Your Soul
Chris Tomlin Chris Tomlin - Holy Forever
chris rupp When the Saints Go Marching In - Chris Rupp A cappella ft. Deke Sharon and Jeff Thacher
toby mac TobyMac Drops ‘Heaven On My Mind’ Official Music Video
Universal Music Group Women Who Worship - Thank You Jesus For The Blood
Blog
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.