Last Updated on July 21, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

AJ Griffin entered the NBA with a reputation as a polished young scorer, showcasing a smooth shooting stroke, impressive strength, and the ability to create offense from the wing. His natural scoring instincts and offensive versatility have made Griffin an intriguing talent with the potential to develop into a reliable perimeter threat.

Here’s the detailed information about AJ Griffin:

  • Full Name: Adrian Darnell Griffin Jr.
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born August 25, 2003
  • Hometown: Dallas, Texas, USA
  • Height: 6 feet 6 inches (198 cm)
  • Weight: 220 pounds (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 feet (213 cm)
  • Shoe Size: Size 14 (US)
  • Jersey Number: 14 (Atlanta Hawks)
  • Position: Small Forward / Shooting Guard
  • High School: Archbishop Stepinac High School, White Plains, New York
  • College: Duke University (2021–2022) – Duke Blue Devils
  • NBA Draft: 16th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks
  • Teams Played For:
    • Atlanta Hawks (2022–present)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: None
  • Siblings: Three siblings — Alan Griffin, Aubrey Griffin, and R.J. Griffin

AJ Griffin’s player archetype is a scoring wing whose offensive value is anchored by perimeter shooting and physical strength. Built at 6-foot-6 with a sturdy frame and long arms, he can hold his ground against bigger forwards while offering enough mobility to defend on the wing, although consistency on that end has remained a work in progress. Griffin made an immediate impression as a rookie by shooting efficiently from three-point range and showing a knack for timely shot-making, including several memorable late-game baskets. His game is most effective when he spaces the floor, attacks closeouts, and leverages his size to finish through contact rather than relying on high-volume isolation scoring.

Scouting Report

The interesting thing about AJ Griffin is that his scoring often looks effortless because he wastes so little movement. He doesn’t need a series of complicated dribble combinations to get to his shot. A subtle jab step, one hard dribble into space, or a quick relocation behind a driving teammate is usually enough because his balance and shooting mechanics stay intact even when defenders arrive late. He has a natural feel for drifting along the perimeter as the ball moves, quietly turning ordinary drive-and-kick possessions into open catch-and-shoot opportunities. When defenders overreact, he’ll attack the closeout with controlled strides and enough strength to finish through contact rather than trying to outrun everyone to the rim. The trade-off is that creating efficient offense against a locked-in defender is a different challenge. His handle can become upright under pressure, making it harder to consistently generate separation in isolation or manipulate multiple defenders out of pick-and-rolls. Defensively, the physical tools are there, but the anticipation doesn’t always match them. There are possessions where he uses his frame well to absorb drives and contest without fouling, then others where he’s a beat late recognizing an off-ball screen or rotating from the weak side, forcing an unnecessary scramble behind the play. That’s where I think the biggest growth comes—not in effort, but in processing speed. To me, Griffin fits best next to a primary creator who bends the defense and lets him attack advantages instead of manufacturing them. His value rises when he’s spacing the floor, punishing late closeouts and occasionally exploiting mismatches against smaller defenders rather than serving as the engine of an offense. There are shades of Saddiq Bey in the blend of strength and perimeter shooting, while parts of his offensive rhythm resemble Desmond Bane when he’s flowing from spot-up opportunities into straight-line drives, although Griffin relies more on power and shot-making than advanced playmaking to influence the game.