NBA Player Adrian Griffin Jr. Tells of God’s Deliverance After Nephew’s Death

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Adrian Griffin Jr. shares words of encouragement on TikTok. Screenshots from TikTok / @AG21

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Following the sudden death of 2-year-old Jayce Griffin on July 22, members of his family gathered the next day to pray in a Champaign, Illinois, church. Jayce was the grandson of Milwaukee Bucks head coach Adrian Griffin and the nephew of Atlanta Hawks basketball player Adrian Griffin Jr. The boy’s father, Alan Griffin, most recently played pro basketball in Canada.

Jayce’s death is still under investigation. Since it occurred, his mother has been posting extensively on social media and is calling for #JusticeforJayce.

Adrian Griffin Jr. Shares Testimony at Aunt’s Church

On July 23, Jayce’s extended family members gathered at Midwest Believers Church, which is pastored by Trent and Rhonda Cloin. Rhonda Cloin, an aunt of Adrian Griffin Jr., told congregants to “gather around my family” because “our little buddy Jayce, the little boy that’s always at church with me, he unexpectedly went to heaven yesterday.” The church’s Facebook Live broadcast of that service is no longer available to view.

During the service, 19-year-old NBA forward Adrian Griffin Jr. shared his testimony. The former Duke standout, who is outspoken about his Christian faith, didn’t address his nephew’s death, but told worshipers, “I’m an NBA player, and…I’d rather have Jesus than have basketball. I was once full of depression, anxiety, and fear. And I struggled with porn addiction. I struggled with mental battles in my mind where they left me restless at night, and I stayed up at night, you know, just crying.”

After Griffin Jr. shared how God had delivered him, he joined in prayer for other people who are facing difficulties.

Pastor Rhonda Cloin told the The Christian Post that congregants also prayed on Sunday for Jayce’s mother, who wasn’t present. “I just want to make clear,” Cloin said. “Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but God has come to give life and life more abundantly. We don’t blame God [for difficulties], but yet, we know in the natural, your hearts hurt. But we’re so thankful we know Jesus. We have that hope. We have his strength.” The pastor concluded, “God is faithful, and he will lead and guide us every step of the way.”

After Toddler’s Death, Mom Seeks Justice for Jayce

Jayce’s father reportedly found him unresponsive on Saturday, and police answered a call about a medical emergency. Jayce was pronounced dead at the hospital. A preliminary autopsy report found no evidence of trauma or foul play. Although a coroner’s report said the boy appears to have died from natural causes, more tests are underway.

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Stephanie Martin
Stephanie Martin, a freelance writer and editor in Denver, has spent her entire 30-year journalism career in Christian publishing. She loves the Word and words, is a binge reader and grammar nut, and is fanatic (as her family can attest) about Jeopardy! and pro football.

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