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Atlanta Hawks rookie lands major endorsement deal

By Joshua Buckhalter

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: AJ Griffin poses for photos on the red carpet during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 23: AJ Griffin poses for photos on the red carpet during the 2022 NBA Draft at Barclays Center on June 23, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images) /
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Rookie Atlanta Hawks forward AJ Griffin has yet to appear on an NBA court in an official game capacity. But that has not stopped him from finding a way to maximize his earning potential outside of the gym, either. Griffin, the 16th-overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, has landed his first endorsement deal as a professional.

We might not get to see Griffin fulfill head coach Nate McMillan’s envisioned role for him for some time. A season spent in the G-League with the College Park Skyhawks would be the betting favorite outcome.

He would join fellow former Duke Blue Devil and last year’s 20th-overall pick Jalen Johnson in doing so.

Griffin is the new spokesperson for “The Athlete’s Foot”.

Atlanta Hawks rookie AJ Griffin signs endorsement deal with athletic apparel and shoe retailer

The announcement came via SGB Media which adds that Griffin will be making in-store appearances in both Atlanta and North Carolina. Both cities are viewed as “key markets” for the brand to support their non-profit efforts in serving local and underserved communities. The 18-year-old said that he was “excited and honored” to join TAF as an ambassador.

“From visiting the store while at Duke, to getting my hands on the newest drops, to now having TAF welcome me to Atlanta, I couldn’t ask for a better partner to align with.”

Representatives for The Athlete’s Foot said they were “extremely thrilled” to have Griffin.

That is surely how the Hawks felt seeing a projected potential top-five pick fall to them just outside of the lottery at 16. But the excitement only lasted one practice, per McMillan, before Griffin hurt himself.

Related Story. Hawks rookie appears destined for heavy minutes in the G-League. light

McMillan did say that the injury is nothing serious and that the Hakws were simply acting out of an abundance of caution.

With Danilo Gallinari and Kevin Huerter both landing in new cities via trade this offseason, Griffin would be a perfect fit next to Trae Young and, especially Dejounte Murray whose own outside shot has led to questions about his fit with this group.

That typically means next to Young.

Griffin’s ability to knock down threes — he shot over 44% from downtown last season — is the perfect complement in theory. We will not get to see it become a reality as soon as we had hoped. And, given his lack of summer league action and McMillan’s coaching history, it will likely be that redshirt year some are predicting. That is not necessarily a bad thing.

If the Hawks can be successful without relying on the rookie, it gives him more time to work on the things that hold him back such as his defense.

And there is always a chance that Griffin has a strong training camp to earn minutes.

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In the meantime, he can enjoy the endorsement money coming in from The Athlete’s Foot.

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