Blake Griffin, the first overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft, has announced his retirement from professional basketball. On April 16, Griffin shared a heartfelt post on Instagram, marking the end of his illustrious career.
The 35-year-old basketball star spent seven seasons with the LA Clippers, who drafted him, before stints with the Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and Boston Celtics.
In his retirement post, styled as a digital letter, Griffin expressed that he had never imagined himself writing a “letter to basketball” to announce his retirement. Reflecting on his career, he emphasized gratitude, stating, “But as I reflected on my career, the one feeling I kept coming back to and the one thing I wanted to express was thankfulness.”
Griffin, the 2011 dunk contest champion, acknowledged he was thankful for “every single moment—not just the good ones.” He recounted the highs and lows, including awards, memorable dunks, the support of family, friends, fans, teammates, and coaches. He also candidly mentioned the challenges, such as losses, injuries, surgeries, and dealing with detractors, all of which he said made his 14 years in the NBA unforgettable.
In his message, Griffin also paid tribute to his family and his agent, Sam Goldfeder, whom he described as his “wartime consigliere.” He thanked his parents, Tommy and Gail, and his brother, Taylor, for their unwavering support and guidance.
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Griffin concluded his post by reflecting on the profound impact basketball has had on his life: “The game of basketball has given me so much in this life, and I wouldn’t change a thing.” He humorously hinted at the typical “excited for the next chapter” closure often seen in retirement announcements, instead ending with a straightforward, “Thank you.”
Known for his explosive athleticism, Griffin was a six-time NBA All-Star, received three second-team All-NBA selections, two third-team All-NBA nods, and was named the Rookie of the Year in 2011.
