Blake Griffin is formally calling it a profession.
The 35-year-old former All-Star introduced on social media Tuesday that he’s retiring from the NBA after being out of the league this season.
“I’m grateful for each single second–not simply the great ones: the wins, the awards, the dunks, and the memorable instances spent with household, pals, followers, teammates, and coaches,” Griffin said in a statement.
“I’m equally grateful for the not-so-good moments: the losses, the accidents, the wayyyy too many surgical procedures, the teachings, the heartbreaks, and it wouldn’t be sports activities retirement letter with out acknowledging the ‘haters.’ All of those experiences made my 14 years within the league actually unforgettable and I can’t assist however to simply really feel grateful.
“The sport of basketball has given me a lot on this life, and I wouldn’t change a factor. Final however definitely not least, right here comes the compulsory ‘I’m excited for my subsequent chapter’ half: simply kidding, I’m executed.”
The five-time All-NBA participant and 2011 Rookie of the 12 months had playoff runs with the Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics.
He was final seen on the court docket with the Boston Celtics in 2023 and gamers on the workforce had been clamoring for Griffin to return to the workforce in a bench position.
Griffin was recruited by guards Peyton Pritchard and Derrick White again in February when the workforce “begged him” to return.
Coach Joe Mazzulla had been advised that Griffin wished to be a full-time father.
“When he advised me on the finish of final 12 months that his household was an important factor, I finished speaking to him about it,” Mazzulla mentioned, “as a result of I do know what it’s prefer to be away out of your youngsters and away from your loved ones.”
Griffin has two younger youngsters: Ford Wilson, who was born in 2013, and Finley Elaine, born the next 12 months.
Griffin told GQ in 2014 that he felt “changed” by fatherhood after his daughter Finley was born.
“I wish I was able to be around more,” Griffin said. “The thing I hate the most is being gone for like two weeks and only seeing him on FaceTime. I missed the first time he rolled over, which isn’t a huge thing, but at the time I was like, ‘Man.’ I had—not a breakdown, but I just had a moment where I was like, ‘This sucks!’ You know, just missing stuff like that. But at the same time, it makes the stuff that I don’t miss that much more special.”
