Blue Devil Country

Duke Basketball One-And-Done May Cut Short Playing Career

Former Duke basketball wing AJ Griffin is only 21 years old and just over two years removed from a trip to the Final Four as a Blue Devil.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball forwards Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin
Duke basketball forwards Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin / Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
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There are 25 Duke basketball products who are active NBA Blue Devils. But a report from The Athletic's Shams Charania on Thursday afternoon suggests that count may well fall to an even two dozen before the 2024-25 NBA regular season tips off in late October.

ALSO READ: Duke Hypes Up Athleticism of Blue Devil Additions

According to Charania, 2021-22 Duke basketball sharpshooter and Houston Rockets forward AJ Griffin "is seriously considering stepping away from basketball." Charania added in the following post that Griffin and the Rockets "are preparing for his departure from the game."

Beyond speculation on social media, there's no word as to why Griffin might leave the sport just a few weeks following his 21st birthday.

Last season, the former five-star recruit, who came off the board No. 16 overall at the 2022 NBA Draft after helping power the Blue Devils to the Final Four as a double-digit scorer, saw action in only 20 games for the Atlanta Hawks. He averaged only 2.4 points per outing.

That followed a promising rookie campaign, in which Griffin averaged 8.9 points across 72 appearances while shooting 39.0 percent beyond the arc.

In late June, AJ Griffin was a piece to a three-team trade that sent him to the Houston Rockets for what looked to be — at the time, anyway — an ideal opportunity for a reboot to his career.

ALSO READ: Elite Big Man Enters Blue Devil Recruiting Radar

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke basketball news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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