NBA DRAFT

June 23, 2022

AJ Griffin

Q. Throughout the draft process, there's a big range of picks of where you can go. Some people think you might go top 10, some later. Now that you're with the Hawks, how are you feeling now that the process is over and you finally have a team?

AJ GRIFFIN: Man, it feels great. Just to know where you're going and to be able to play for the Hawks, I mean, it's an honor. I'm ready to get to the plane and work. I'm excited right now.

Q. So not only do you get to play with the Hawks but you get to play with Trae Young and you get to play with a team that plays a lot into your strength, which is shooting. So how good do you feel about that?

AJ GRIFFIN: I feel amazed. You know, just grateful to be able to be in the right spot. I'm just ready to get to work and play with a guy, Trae, I looked up to, just watching him play throughout the years. It's a surreal feeling.

Q. Did you think the Knicks might take you at 11? A New York guy, were you hoping for that?

AJ GRIFFIN: I was really just waiting for my name no matter who it was. Just to be able to be in the Draft, I was more than excited. I'm ready to go to ATL.

Q. You walked up with your brother and sister, and I know you have a great basketball family. Can you tell me how growing up with a basketball family helped you get to this point?

AJ GRIFFIN: Yeah, that moment is special. Just to be able to share that with my siblings -- growing up, we used to play one-on-one all the time and just dreamed about that moment. I think it's a memory I'm going to remember forever, and I'm sure they will, too.

Q. I know there were a lot of Stepinac guys in the crowd tonight, your high school coach. How special is that? They obviously look up to you, just like you looked up to your brother and some of the other players when you were a young Crusader.

AJ GRIFFIN: That's special, man, to have my coach there and to just feel the love from the community. I'm about to go get dinner with them. I just can't wait to say what's up and just enjoy this night with them.

Q. What advice did your dad give to you be in this moment right now?

AJ GRIFFIN: Man, he gave me so much advice. Just to be here today and just to share this moment with him, he just always told me the truth, always gave me the best advice a father could. I'm just truly grateful and blessed to be able to have a father like him. I'm just excited to see -- trying to get that first win against him.

Yeah, it's definitely a blessing to have him as a father.