Helena Frye
Blake Griffin is a former professional basketball player who played in the NBA for 14 years. He announced his retirement from the league in April 2024, at the age of 35. Griffin was a six-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection. Known for his powerful dunks, he played for several teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics. Since retiring, Griffin has pursued other interests, such as golf and comedy, and joined Prime Video's NBA coverage as an analyst.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Retirement announcement date | 16 April 2024 |
| Retirement announcement method | An emotional 'letter to basketball' |
| Retirement confirmation | Yes, in an interview with People |
| Retirement reasons | Injuries, surgeries, losses, and heartbreaks |
| Teams played for | Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, Boston Celtics |
| Post-retirement plans | Join Prime Video's NBA coverage |
| Age at retirement | 35 |
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What You'll Learn
Blake Griffin's career highlights
Blake Griffin announced his retirement from professional basketball in April 2024, but before that, he had a stellar career in the NBA.
Griffin played mostly as a power forward and was known for his slam and highlight dunks. In his rookie year, he averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, becoming the 20th rookie in NBA history to average over 20 points and 10 rebounds. In his NBA debut, he registered 20 points and 14 rebounds, and in a game against the Indiana Pacers, he scored a career-high 47 points. He was the first rookie to have two 40+ point games since Allen Iverson in the 1996-97 season.
Griffin was also a talented playmaker. In a post on The New York Times basketball blog, Rob Mahoney praised Griffin's "passing aptitude" and wrote that his game "stretches beyond the scoring and rebounding columns." During his career, Griffin was a six-time NBA All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection. He played for the Los Angeles Clippers for his first nine seasons, then the Detroit Pistons from 2018 to 2021, the Brooklyn Nets in 2021, and finally, the Boston Celtics until his retirement.
Before his NBA career, Griffin played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners, where he was named the consensus national college player of the year as a sophomore. He played two seasons of college basketball before entering the 2009 NBA draft, where he was selected first overall by the Clippers. In high school, Griffin won four state titles at Oklahoma Christian School, where his father, Tommy Griffin, was the head coach.
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Why he retired
Blake Griffin announced his retirement from professional basketball in April 2024, bringing an end to a 14-year career in the NBA.
Griffin's retirement was marked by an emotional 'letter to basketball', in which he reflected on his time in the league:
> "I am equally thankful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the injuries, the wayyyy too many surgeries, the lessons, the heartbreaks, and it wouldn't be [a] sports retirement letter without acknowledging the 'haters.' All of these experiences made my 14 years in the league truly unforgettable, and I can't help but [...] feel thankful. The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn't change a thing."
Griffin's retirement came as a result of a decline in his athletic performance. By the 2023-24 season, Griffin's points, rebounds, and assists averages had dropped to a career-low 4.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, respectively. This decline in performance may have been due, in part, to injuries and surgeries, which plagued his later career.
In the time since his retirement, Griffin has taken up golf as a hobby, which has allowed him to stay in touch with former teammates and other retired athletes. He has also pursued a career in entertainment, including stand-up comedy and hosting a sports show on Prime Video.
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Life after retirement
Blake Griffin, the former NBA star, retired from basketball in April 2024. Since then, he has been keeping himself busy with a variety of endeavours and enjoying life in Los Angeles.
Griffin has taken up golf as a new hobby, which he plays regularly with former teammates and other retired athletes. He has also stayed connected to the world of basketball by joining Prime Video's NBA coverage for the upcoming season. He is excited about the opportunity to watch and stay involved with the game he loves. In addition, Griffin has kept in touch with NBA coaches and general managers to stay updated on the latest developments in the sport.
The former athlete has also expressed interest in stand-up comedy, hosting the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal in 2016 and his own show, "Comedy by Blake," in the same year. He has appeared in commercials for various brands and was on the cover of "NCAA Basketball 10" and "NBA 2K13."
Griffin has made California his home since retiring from basketball, citing his love for Los Angeles and the friends he has made there. He also enjoys spending time with his children, sharing that it is his "dream" to take them to Lobsterfest at Red Lobster.
Overall, Blake Griffin appears to be enjoying a fulfilling life after retirement, pursuing new interests, staying connected to the sports world, and spending time with loved ones.
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His NBA coverage role
Blake Griffin, the former NBA star, announced his retirement in April 2024. After 13 seasons in the NBA, the six-time All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection player is now gearing up for a new role in sports broadcasting.
Griffin will be joining Prime Video's NBA coverage for the upcoming season. He will be a part of the streaming network's studio show, alongside Dirk Nowitzki and Taylor Rooks. Griffin expressed his excitement about this new opportunity, stating that he loves basketball and would be watching the games anyway. To prepare for his new role, he plans to stay involved by watching games and staying in touch with NBA coaches and general managers to ensure he is up-to-date with the latest information.
In addition to his upcoming role in sports broadcasting, Griffin has also explored other avenues post-retirement. He has pursued stand-up comedy, hosting his own show, "Comedy by Blake," and appearing as a roaster on the "Comedy Central Roast of Alec Baldwin" in 2019. Griffin has also ventured into acting, making his debut in 2016 on the show "Broad City." He has since appeared in various shows and films, showcasing his versatility.
Griffin's retirement from the NBA does not mean he has stepped away from competition entirely. He has taken up golf as a new hobby, which allows him to stay connected with former teammates and other retired athletes.
While Griffin's NBA playing days are over, his involvement with the league continues as he embarks on a new chapter in sports broadcasting. His knowledge of the game and passion for basketball will undoubtedly contribute to his success in his new role with Prime Video's NBA coverage.
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His time with the LA Clippers
Blake Griffin's time with the LA Clippers began when he was selected by them as the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft. He played for the Clippers' Summer League Team and was named Summer League MVP. However, he injured his kneecap during a dunk in their final preseason game, delaying his NBA debut. After resting for several weeks, tests revealed that his knee was not recovering properly.
Griffin made his NBA debut for the Clippers on October 27, 2010. During his rookie year, he averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game, becoming just the 20th rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in the shot clock era. Known for his highlight dunks, Griffin was an exceptional athlete and a six-time NBA All-Star. In 2014, he scored a playoff career-high 35 points in a win over the Golden State Warriors. The Clippers beat the Warriors in seven games amid the Donald Sterling controversy.
Griffin was named to the All-NBA Second Team for three consecutive years from 2012 to 2014. In December 2014, he scored a season-high 45 points, including a game-winning three-pointer, as the Clippers beat the Phoenix Suns in overtime. In February 2015, he was ruled out for several weeks due to a staph infection in his right elbow. Despite this setback, Griffin finished the regular season with impressive averages of 21.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and a career-high 5.3 assists in 67 games.
During his time with the LA Clippers, Griffin established himself as one of the league's most dominant players, showcasing his scoring prowess, rebounding skills, and playmaking abilities. He was an integral part of the Clippers' success during the era dubbed "Lob City", thrilling fans with his high-flying dunks and all-around outstanding performances.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Blake Griffin retired from basketball in April 2024.
Yes, Blake Griffin played for the Boston Celtics in the 2022-23 season.
In his rookie year, Griffin averaged 22.5 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game. He was the 20th rookie in NBA history to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds per game in the shot clock era.
Griffin has taken up golf as a hobby and will be joining Prime Video's NBA coverage next season.
Griffin decided to retire due to injuries and surgeries. He wrote an emotional 'letter to basketball' expressing gratitude for his 14 years in the NBA.
