Dejounte Murray Reacts To NBA Player Retiring

Dejounte Murray reacted to his former Atlanta Hawks teammate (AJ Griffin) retiring.

Jan 22, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) walks off the court after the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

AJ Griffin spent two years with the Atlanta Hawks before getting traded to the Houston Rockets over the offseason.

He had been coming off a season where he only appeared in 20 games.

The former Duke star recently announced that he is retiring from basketball in a YouTube video.

Griffin: "I gave up basketball to follow Jesus, and I know that in a lot of people's eyes, it seems like a loss in the world's eyes... I feel like letting go of basketball is allowing me to go into full-time ministry and truly serving the lord with all my heart."

Many people reacted to Griffin's Instagram post wishing him well with his retirement.

One person who commented on the post was Dejounte Murray.

Murray wrote: "Love YOU Always Bro!!! Forever With You!!"

Dejounte Murray's Comment / September 29

Griffin and Murray were teammates for the previous two seasons on the Hawks.

Last season, the team went 36-46 and missed the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2020.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by AJ Griffin #14 (@adrian.griffinjr)

Murray was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans over the offseason.

Apr 12, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray (5) shoots the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images / Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

As for Griffin, his retirement came as a big surprise due to the fact that he was the 16th pick in the 2022 NBA Draft (and is only 21).

He had a strong rookie year with the Hawks where he averaged 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists per contest while shooting 46.5% from the field and 39.0% from the three-point range.

AJ Griffin says he’s giving up basketball to “follow Jesus”

Griffin was drafted in 2022 and recently agreed to a buyout with the Rockets so he could pursue ministry

Full story here: https://t.co/XgWrvvWPXC pic.twitter.com/fDy1q5rOaq

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 29, 2024

Griffin finished with career averages of 7.5 points and 1.9 rebounds per contest while shooting 44.7% from the field and 37.2% from the three-point range in 92 games.