AJ Griffin lacks friends and family to celebrate with him when he hears his name called in the 2022 NBA Draft Thursday night. I didn't.
Growing up in Ossining, NY, Griffin starred at Stephinac High School. And most of the Stephinac basketball program appeared at Barclays Center, supporting one of them, watching Griffin up close as the first round pick in school.
"That's special, man, my coach is there and I can just feel the love from the community," Griffin said. "I'm going to have dinner with them. I can't wait to tell you what's going on and enjoy tonight with them."
Griffin as a whole After falling to the Hawks in the 16th choice at, they had to wait longer than expected to start the celebration.
Griffin inventory fluctuated until the night of the draft. Concerns remained in his long history of injury. But at the same time, Griffin's potential proved attractive. He shot 45% over a 3-point arc, averaging 10.4 points per game in a 6'6 wing from a solid freshman season at Duke.
Griffin, who is not 19 years old until August, has been working hard towards this moment. Griffin, the youngest of three brothers who are crazy about basketball, grew up fighting his brother Alain and his sister Aubrey. Both played Division I college basketball (Alan, Illinois and Syracuse, Aubrey, Connecticut), and AJ followed in their footsteps.
"We were dreaming of that moment," Griffin said. "I think it's a memory I'll remember forever, and I'm sure they will."
And Griffin is his father Adrian, a former Seton Hall star and now the Raptors. He honed his skills under the guidance of a 10-year professional assistant coach.
"He gave me a lot of advice," Griffin said when asked about the influence of his father. "To be here today and share this moment with him, he always told me the truth and always gave me the best advice a father could do. I really appreciate having a father like him. And I'm blessed. "
Griffin is now ready to carve out his NBA heritage.
