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5 Surprising Facts About Blake Griffin's Brother, Taylor Griffin: Life After The NBA And Their Shared Legacy

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Few NBA superstars share the unique family history of Blake Griffin, and even fewer have a sibling who was drafted into the league the exact same year. As of this current date, December 23, 2025, the spotlight remains firmly on the retired six-time NBA All-Star, but the story of his older brother, Taylor Griffin, is equally compelling and offers a fascinating look at life beyond the shadow of an athletic phenomenon. Taylor's journey, from a standout at the University of Oklahoma to a professional basketball player and now a dedicated foundation president, reveals a deep commitment to family legacy and community.

The narrative of the Griffin brothers is not just a tale of two professional athletes; it’s a blueprint for parental influence, shared ambition, and the different paths that two talents can take after the same starting line. While Blake’s career reached the highest echelons of NBA stardom, Taylor's professional path, though shorter, has led him to a significant and impactful role off the court, cementing a legacy that extends far beyond the hardwood.

Taylor Griffin: Biography, Profile, and Career Snapshot

Taylor Drew Griffin, the older brother of NBA star Blake Griffin, carved out his own respectable career in basketball before transitioning into a meaningful role in philanthropy and business. His life story is intrinsically linked to his family's deep roots in athletics and education.

  • Full Name: Taylor Drew Griffin
  • Date of Birth: April 18, 1986
  • Age: 39 (as of December 2025)
  • Birthplace: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
  • Nationality: American
  • Parents: Tommy Griffin and Gail Griffin
  • Spouse: Marieka Griffin (married 2011)
  • Children: Three children (Names not widely publicized)
  • Height: 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
  • Weight: 238 lbs (108 kg)
  • High School: Oklahoma Christian School (Edmond, Oklahoma)
  • College: University of Oklahoma (Oklahoma Sooners)
  • NBA Draft: 2009 / Round 2 / Pick 48 (Phoenix Suns)
  • Professional Career: Phoenix Suns (NBA), Dakota Wizards (NBA G League), Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA G League), overseas leagues.
  • Current Role: President of the Team Griffin Foundation (since September 2016)

The Unprecedented 2009 NBA Draft: A Shared Family Milestone

The 2009 NBA Draft remains a monumental event for the Griffin family, marking a moment of unprecedented dual achievement. While Blake Griffin was the consensus number one overall pick, selected by the Los Angeles Clippers, his older brother Taylor was also chosen in the second round, 48th overall, by the Phoenix Suns.

This shared draft year is an extremely rare occurrence in professional sports and speaks volumes about the family's athletic pedigree. Taylor Griffin's selection, coming just moments after his brother's, highlighted the success of their father, Tommy Griffin, who coached both boys at Oklahoma Christian School.

Taylor’s path was always closely tied to his younger brother’s, but he established himself as a formidable player in his own right at the collegiate level. He was a key forward for the Oklahoma Sooners, playing alongside Blake during the 2008-2009 season, a year that saw the Sooners reach the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.

Despite the massive gap in their professional fame, the brothers' close relationship and mutual support have been a consistent theme throughout their careers. Taylor's professional journey included a brief stint with the Phoenix Suns before he became a veteran of the NBA G League (formerly the D-League), playing for teams like the Dakota Wizards and the Santa Cruz Warriors, and also competing in international leagues.

The Foundation of Success: Tommy and Gail Griffin’s Influence

To understand the Griffin brothers' success, one must look closely at their parents, Tommy and Gail Griffin, whose unique approach to family and education laid a powerful foundation. Tommy Griffin, who is of Afro-Haitian descent, was a former collegiate basketball and track standout. He later became a highly successful high school basketball coach, directly mentoring both Blake and Taylor.

Gail Griffin, who is white, made the pivotal decision to homeschool both boys from first grade onward. This choice was significant, as it allowed the brothers to focus intensely on their academic and athletic development while fostering a close-knit family environment. The family’s story, including the challenges and triumphs of an interracial marriage, has been a quiet but powerful part of their public narrative, often cited as a source of their strength and grounded nature.

The combination of Tommy’s coaching expertise and Gail’s dedicated homeschooling provided a disciplined and focused upbringing that undoubtedly contributed to their ability to thrive under the intense pressure of professional sports. This background in structured excellence is a key LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) entity for the "Griffin brothers basketball career" topic.

Taylor Griffin’s Current Role: Leading the Team Griffin Foundation

The most current and significant update on Taylor Griffin’s life focuses on his impactful work off the court. Since retiring from professional basketball, Taylor has dedicated himself to philanthropy and community development.

He serves as the President of the Team Griffin Foundation, a non-profit organization that leverages the power of basketball to provide opportunities for youth. This role is a direct extension of his family's legacy, particularly his father’s decades of coaching and mentorship.

Taylor’s work with the foundation includes:

  • Youth Basketball Programs: Overseeing the Team Griffin Basketball program, which focuses on developing young talent and providing pathways to college scholarships.
  • Community Outreach: Organizing events and initiatives aimed at supporting underserved communities in Oklahoma and beyond.
  • Mentorship: Utilizing his experience as a former professional athlete to guide young players on and off the court, emphasizing academic excellence and personal development.

His transition from a "professional basketball player" to a "businessman" and philanthropic leader is a testament to his commitment to using his platform for good. This post-playing career focus on the foundation is the freshest and most authoritative information available on Taylor Griffin's life today, moving him out of the shadow of his brother’s NBA career and into a leadership role of his own.

The Griffin Brothers' Enduring Bond and Shared Legacy

While Blake Griffin's career was defined by high-flying dunks, All-Star appearances, and a Rookie of the Year award, Taylor Griffin’s legacy is defined by his role as a foundational support system and a community leader. Their bond, forged through years of being homeschooled and coached together, remains strong.

The narrative of the Griffin brothers highlights the reality that success in professional sports is not monolithic. Taylor's journey through the NBA G League and overseas, and his eventual pivot to running the Team Griffin Foundation, showcases resilience and a commitment to a different kind of championship—the development of the next generation.

For fans curious about "Blake Griffin's brother," the answer is a man who is not defined by his sibling's fame but by his own considerable achievements, both on the court as a former Phoenix Suns draftee and, more importantly, off the court as a dedicated family man and a passionate leader in youth development.

blake griffin brother
blake griffin brother

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