Former NBA first-round pick A.J. Griffin explains why he 'gave up basketball to follow Jesus'
Former Atlanta Hawks first-round pick A.J. Griffin announced that he has decided to step away from basketball, confirming previous reports. The 21-year-old Griffin was waived by the Houston Rockets on Sept. 20 after being traded from the Atlanta Hawks and received a $250,000 contract buyout, according to Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle .