The Griffin has flown away from the nest.
After a high-flying freshman season, AJ Griffin has been selected 16th overall by the Atlanta Hawks, joining teammates Paolo Banchero and Mark Williams as the first Blue Devils taken in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Griffin was lauded coming into the draft for his 3-point shooting abilities and his 6-foot-6, 222-pound frame, and he has been projected as a lottery pick since his declaration in April. Still just 18 years old, Griffin finished his season with the Blue Devils with a 44.7% mark from three and was instrumental in their Final Four run, all after overcoming an early-season injury that held him out of the starting lineup until midway through the season. For his efforts, Griffin received an All-ACC honorable mention as well as a selection to the ACC All-Freshman team.
He hails from Ossining, N.Y., where he played for Archbishop Stepinac. Notably, Griffin is the son of Toronto Raptors assistant coach Adrian Griffin Sr., and could now face his father across the court on a regular basis, as Griffin Jr., will surely play a role on the Hawks immediately. The small forward had a 5-for-5 performance from deep against Louisville, went 6-for-10 against Syracuse, and notched a season-high 27 points in Duke's first meeting with North Carolina.
Though Duke fans will surely miss his sharpshooting ways, there's no doubt they will be watching and rooting for the newest Hawk as he continues his career in Atlanta.
READ MORE on Griffin's path to Atlanta:
Duke men's basketball's AJ Griffin declares for 2022 NBA Draft
Duke men's basketball eyes historic night at NBA Draft
'He's a rising star': The story behind AJ Griffin's emergence for Duke men's basketball
This is a developing story. Check back here for more updates.
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Sasha Richie is a Trinity senior and a sports managing editor of The Chronicle's 118th volume.