It was just two years ago that AJ Griffin was beginning his journey in the NBA. Selected 16th overall in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks, Griffin came close to making an All-Rookie Team in 2022-23. Last season was a disappointing one though for the 21-year-old, as he was often out of the rotation and appeared in just 20 games.
Still very young and one season removed from being seen as a long-term rotation piece, the Houston Rockets decided to take a chance on him, acquiring the former Duke player while giving up a second round pick. The Rockets will not get to see him in action as they have released him. It has been reported that Griffin is stepping away from basketball. It’s unknown if it’s a permanent move by Griffin, or temporary, but it’s a surprising one nonetheless.
He isn’t the first to step away from the NBA seemingly out of the blue. Here are a couple other recent examples.
With AJ Griffin Stepping Away, Here Are Two Who Did Likewise
Larry Sanders
The 15th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, Larry Sanders looked like he would be manning the middle for the Milwaukee Bucks for many years. Sanders’ breakout season in the NBA came in 2012-13. That season, Sanders finished third in Most Improved Player and seventh in Defensive Player of the Year voting. The six-foot-11 center nearly averaged a double-double (9.8 points, 9.5 rebounds). Sanders’ 2.8 blocks per game were the second-most that season only behind Serge Ibaka’s 3.0.
In 2013, Sanders agreed to a four year, $44 million extension with Milwaukee. The following two seasons didn’t go quite as well though. Sanders played just a total of 50 games in 2013-14 and 2014-15. Sanders torn a thumb ligament in a night club altercation in December of 2013 and fractured an orbital bone in March of 2014. He was suspended twice for violating the NBA’s drug policy and had a stint on the Bucks’ inactive roster for personal reasons.
After being released by Milwaukee in 2015, Sanders announced he was stepping away from basketball. He did make a return, signing with the Cleveland Cavaliers late in the 2016-17 season. He played in just five games for a total of 13 minutes.
Darren Collison
While Darren Collison did step away from the NBA, he still had a lengthy career. Collison was selected with the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets. He spent just one season with them, also playing for the Indiana Pacers (two stints), Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings. Collison was a long-time starting point guard (518 career starts) and led the league in three-point percentage in 2017-18.
After the 2018-19 season, Collison decided to step away. In a letter posted to ESPN’s Undefeated, Collison wrote,
“While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith. I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and my faith means everything to me. I receive so much joy from volunteering to help others and participate in a worldwide ministry. The joy I feel is unmatched. With that being said, I have decided to retire from the NBA.”
Collison didn’t play the following two seasons, but he signed with the Los Angeles Lakers in December of 2021. He appeared in just three games for the Lakers and never appeared in the league after that.
