Blake Griffin: Career, Net Worth, Dating History, Retirement

Few players captured the imagination of NBA fans quite like Blake Griffin, from his earth-shaking dunks as a rookie to his reinvented role as a veteran. But beyond the highlight reels, questions about his retirement, personal life, and financial legacy still swirl.

Height: 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) · Weight: 250 lb (113 kg) · NBA Draft: 2009, 1st overall by Los Angeles Clippers · Teams: LAC, DET, BKN, BOS · All-Star Selections: 6 · Career Points per Game: 19.0

One pattern from the snapshot: Griffin’s career was a tale of two halves — a decade of elite production followed by a quiet tail. The key facts below anchor the numbers.

Why did Blake Griffin quit the NBA?

Injury history and decline in performance

• Knee injuries plagued Griffin after his 2013–14 peak, when he averaged 24.1 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 3.9 assists (ESPN)
• His scoring dipped to 13.8 PPG in his final season (2022–23 with Boston) (Basketball-Reference)
• He underwent multiple knee procedures, including arthroscopic surgery in 2019

The wear and tear of a power forward who lived above the rim was unsustainable. By his mid-30s, the explosiveness that defined him was gone, and teams no longer needed a floor-spacer who couldn’t defend at a high level.

Role changes and team moves

• Traded from the Clippers to Detroit in January 2018 (FanBuzz)
• Bought out by Pistons in 2021, signed with Brooklyn Nets (AOL)
• Final NBA stop: Boston Celtics on a one-year deal in 2022–23 (Yahoo Sports)

Each move reduced his role — from franchise cornerstone to bench contributor. The trade to Detroit signaled the end of his prime, and the buyout three years later made clear he was no longer a building block.

Official announcement and future plans

Blake Griffin announced his retirement on April 16, 2024, via a social media post. The NBA.com (official league site) confirmed the news, noting his 14 seasons and five All-NBA selections. Griffin said he was “grateful for every moment” but offered no specific post-retirement plans. The implication: his body could no longer compete at NBA speed, and he chose to walk away on his own terms.

The pattern: Griffin’s body forced the decision, but his financial security allowed him to walk away with dignity.

Did Kendall Jenner ever date Blake Griffin?

Timeline of the rumored relationship

• Rumors surfaced in August 2017 when the two were spotted together (People)
• Neither party confirmed the relationship publicly
• By early 2018, the rumors had faded

The dating rumor is a classic celebrity-media cycle: a few sightings, zero confirmations, and a lingering question that still pops up in search queries. Without a statement from either side, it remains in the “unconfirmed” column.

Kendall Jenner’s dating history with other athletes

• Jenner has been linked to several NBA players, including Devin Booker and Ben Simmons
• Her relationship with Devin Booker (2020–2022) was widely reported and more substantiated
• The pattern suggests a preference for athletes, but that alone doesn’t confirm the Griffin rumor

Blake Griffin’s past relationships

• Griffin has two children with Brynn Cameron, his college girlfriend (People)
• He later dated model Francesca Aiello for about two years (People)
• Reports indicate he may have reconnected with Aiello in mid-2023 (People)

What this means: Griffin’s known romantic history is limited to a few names. The Kendall Jenner rumor, while intriguing, lacks the evidence that his other relationships have.

How rich is Blake Griffin?

NBA salary earnings over his career

• Signed a five-year, $171 million contract extension with the Clippers in 2017 (FanBuzz)
• Total career earnings exceed $250 million in salary alone (Spotrac)
• His rookie-scale contract was $23.5 million over four years

Endorsement deals and business ventures

• Major endorsement deals with Nike, Kia, and Red Bull during his peak
• Appeared in commercials and video games, boosting off-court income
• Has invested in real estate and tech startups, though details are private

Estimated net worth in 2025

• Marca estimates net worth over $110 million (Marca)
• Other outlets place the figure between $100–$150 million
• No official financial disclosure exists, so estimates vary

The implication: Griffin’s salary and endorsements have secured his financial future, leaving him free to pursue non-basketball interests.

What year did Blake Griffin come out?

NBA debut year and college career

• Griffin debuted in the NBA during the 2010–11 season after missing all of 2009–10 with a broken kneecap (NBA.com)
• He played two seasons at the University of Oklahoma (2007–2009)
• “Come out” in this context almost certainly means his NBA debut, not a personal announcement

Interpretation of ‘come out’ in context

• The phrasing “come out” is ambiguous — it could mean debut, emergence as a star, or sexual orientation disclosure
• Search data shows the query often comes from people who are new to basketball terminology
• No credible source reports Griffin coming out as LGBTQ+

Griffin’s public persona and LGBTQ+ advocacy

• Griffin has been a supporter of LGBTQ+ causes, including wearing Pride warm-up shirts
• He has not publicly identified as LGBTQ+
• The most accurate reading: his “coming out” refers to his emergence as a top NBA rookie in 2011

The pattern: this question reveals a language gap. For sports fans, “come out” means entering the league. For a general audience, it implies something else. The editorial takeaway: always check context before assuming intent.

What are Blake Griffin’s career stats and achievements?

Regular season and playoff statistics

• Career: 19.0 PPG, 8.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 49.3% FG (NBA.com)
• Playoffs: 18.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 3.5 APG over 54 games (Basketball-Reference)
• Highest single-season scoring: 24.1 PPG (2013–14) (ESPN)

Five notable seasons, one clear pattern: his peak was early and steep, then a gradual decline.

The catch: Griffin’s numbers dropped as his role shrank, but his per-minute efficiency remained solid until the very end.

Awards and honors

• 2011 Rookie of the Year (NBA.com)
• 6× NBA All-Star (NBA.com)
• 5× All-NBA (3× Second Team, 2× Third Team) (NBA.com)
• MVP voting: 3rd in 2014, 4th in 2015 (Basketball-Reference)
• Clippers all-time scoring: 2nd with 10,863 points (NBA.com)

Memorable moments and highlights

• 2011 Slam Dunk Contest champion (jumping over a Kia Optima)
• “Lob City” era with Chris Paul and DeAndre Jordan
• 2019 playoff performance against Milwaukee while playing through a knee injury

Why this matters: Griffin’s legacy is defined by a brief, brilliant peak. For the Clippers fan base, he remains the franchise’s most electrifying homegrown talent. For the league, he symbolized the modern power forward — strong enough to post up, quick enough to run the floor.

Timeline

The timeline shows a steady progression from college star to retired veteran.

Clarity section

These splits highlight where verified records end and speculation begins.

Quotes from the sources

“Blake Griffin announced his retirement from the NBA on April 16, 2024, after 14 seasons.”

— ESPN (sports news outlet)

“Griffin played 14 seasons and made five All-NBA teams.”

— NBA.com (official league site)

“Griffin shares two children, son Ford Wilson and daughter Finley Elaine, with Brynn Cameron.”

— People (celebrity news magazine)

Summary

Blake Griffin’s career arc — from airborne rookie to beat-up veteran — mirrors the physical toll professional basketball exacts on its most explosive players. His retirement closes a chapter that began with a shattered backboard and ended with a quiet Instagram post. For the Clippers organization, the lesson is clear: build around stars while they’re still stars, because the window closes faster than any highlight reel suggests.

The pattern: Griffin’s career reminds fans that athletic prime is fleeting, but financial prudence can secure a comfortable second act.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Height, Trade, Family & Stats · Devin Booker: Stats, Injury, Kendall Jenner, and Ethnicity