Adrian Darnell Griffin is a former American professional basketball player and current coach. He most recently held the position of head coach for the Milwaukee Bucks in the NBA. His professional playing career spanned from 1999 to 2008, during which he played as both a shooting guard and small forward. Griffin's basketball journey began in Wichita, Kansas, and included a stint playing college basketball for the Seton Hall Pirates.
July 4, 1974: Birth of Adrian Griffin
Adrian Darnell Griffin was born on July 4, 1974. This marks the beginning of his journey.
1996: Marriage to Audrey Sterling
Adrian Griffin married Audrey Sterling in 1996.
1996: Undrafted in the NBA Draft
Despite his college basketball career, Adrian Griffin was not selected in the 1996 NBA draft, leading him to play in minor leagues before breaking into the NBA.
1997: Named to All-Rookie First Team (CBA)
Adrian Griffin's talent was evident early on, as he earned a spot on the All-Rookie First Team in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) while playing for the Connecticut Pride in 1997.
October 1998: Brief Stint with Cordivari Roseto
Before his NBA career took off, Adrian Griffin briefly played for the Italian team Cordivari Roseto for eight games from July to October 1998.
1999: NBA Debut with the Boston Celtics
Adrian Griffin began his NBA journey in 1999 as a shooting guard and small forward for the Boston Celtics.
1999: Start of NBA Career with Boston Celtics
Adrian Griffin officially embarked on his NBA journey in the 1999-2000 season as a member of the Boston Celtics.
2000: Solid Rookie Season with the Celtics
Adrian Griffin showcased his potential during his rookie season (1999-2000) with the Boston Celtics, averaging a respectable 7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.61 steals per game.
July 17, 2006: Signing with the Chicago Bulls
After his stint with the Dallas Mavericks, Adrian Griffin signed a three-year contract with the Chicago Bulls on July 17, 2006.
2006: Starting Role in the NBA Finals
In a significant career highlight, Adrian Griffin earned a starting position for the Dallas Mavericks during the 2006 NBA Finals.
February 21, 2008: Trade to the Seattle SuperSonics
Adrian Griffin was part of a blockbuster 11-player trade on February 21, 2008, which sent him from the Chicago Bulls to the Seattle SuperSonics.
August 13, 2008: Trade to the Milwaukee Bucks
Shortly after joining the Seattle SuperSonics, Adrian Griffin was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team, six-player deal on August 13, 2008.
2008: End of NBA Playing Career
Adrian Griffin's time as an NBA player came to an end in 2008 after a successful run.
September 8, 2010: Transition to Coaching with the Chicago Bulls
Adrian Griffin embarked on his coaching career on September 8, 2010, joining the Chicago Bulls as an assistant coach under Tom Thibodeau.
2010: Induction into Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame
Adrian Griffin's accomplishments on the court during his time at Seton Hall University were formally recognized in 2010 when he was inducted into the Seton Hall Athletics Hall of Fame.
2014: Contribution to USA Basketball's Gold Medal
Adrian Griffin expanded his coaching experience in 2014 by joining the USA coaching staff for the FIBA World Cup, which the team won, adding a gold medal to his resume.
June 26, 2015: Joining the Orlando Magic as Top Assistant Coach
Adrian Griffin secured a prominent coaching position on June 26, 2015, when he was hired by the Orlando Magic as their top assistant coach.
2015: Divorce from Audrey Sterling and Second Marriage
Adrian Griffin and Audrey Sterling divorced in 2015. Following his divorce, Griffin remarried to his current wife, Kathy.
July 1, 2016: Joining the Oklahoma City Thunder Coaching Staff
Adrian Griffin's coaching journey led him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, where he was hired as an assistant coach on July 1, 2016.
July 25, 2018: Joining the Toronto Raptors as an Assistant Coach
Adrian Griffin continued his coaching career by joining the Toronto Raptors as an assistant coach on July 25, 2018.
2019: NBA Championship with the Toronto Raptors
Adrian Griffin was an integral part of the Toronto Raptors' historic 2019 NBA championship run, defeating the Golden State Warriors, marking Griffin's first championship ring.
2019: Aubrey Griffin's Recognition as a Top Basketball Recruit
Adrian Griffin's daughter, Aubrey, also excelled in basketball and was recognized as a McDonald's All-American and a five-star recruit in the class of 2019.
August 2020: Domestic Abuse Allegations Surface
In August 2020, Adrian Griffin faced serious accusations of domestic abuse from his former wife, Audrey Sterling. The allegations, which Griffin denied, led to a defamation lawsuit against Sterling in 2021.
2021: Defamation Lawsuit Filed
Adrian Griffin filed a defamation lawsuit against his former wife, Audrey Sterling, in 2021 following her accusations of domestic abuse.
2021: Adrian Jr.'s Rise as a Top Basketball Recruit
Adrian Griffin's son, Adrian Jr., emerged as a highly touted basketball prospect, earning McDonald's All-American honors and a five-star rating in the class of 2021.
2021: End of 2021-22 Regular Season
The 2021-22 NBA regular season, during which Adrian Griffin served as an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptors, concluded.
January 2022: Completion of Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership
Adrian Griffin earned his Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago in January 2022, further demonstrating his commitment to personal and professional growth. His doctoral dissertation focused on stress management among NBA assistant coaches.
April 10, 2022: Acting Head Coach for the Toronto Raptors
On April 10, 2022, Adrian Griffin stepped in as acting head coach for the Toronto Raptors' final game of the 2021-22 regular season against the New York Knicks.
2022: Settlement Reached in Defamation Case
The defamation lawsuit filed by Adrian Griffin against his ex-wife Audrey Sterling in 2021 was settled in 2022.
June 5, 2023: Appointed Head Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks
Adrian Griffin achieved a significant career milestone on June 5, 2023, when he was named the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks.
January 23, 2024: Termination as Head Coach of the Milwaukee Bucks
Adrian Griffin's tenure as head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks ended abruptly on January 23, 2024, when he was fired despite the team's winning record.