30 Surprising Things Every Fan Should Know About Blake Griffin

Blake Austin Griffin, from the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), has been a five-time NBA All-Star and a four-time All-NBA selection, since his first overall selection by the Clippers in the 2009 NBA draft. Here are some unknown facts about the player:

1. He stands tall at 6 feet 10 inches and weighing 251 lbs., is a Los Angeles Clippers power forward. He is an exceptional athlete and a dunking machine who defies gravity.
2. He was born Blake Austin Griffin on March 16, 1989, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is younger of two sons to Tommy Griffin and Gail Griffin.
3. He is bi-racial. His father is Afro-Haitian descent and his mother is Caucasian.
4. Griffin and his older brother Taylor Griffin were home-tutored by their mother, tillhis eighth grade.
5. Griffin and his brother were coached by his father, a former Northwestern Oklahoma State University basketball player. He was good at baseball and football in his youth apart from basketball.
6. He represented Oklahoma Christian School, during 2003, 2004 and 2005 season, winning the state championship all the three years. His father was the head coach of the school.
7. Griffin began to turn heads as a member of the Athletic First AAU team among whom was Jeff Capel, the new head coach at Oklahoma.
8. He won the Most Valuable Player of the finals and was awarded ‘The Oklahoman Player of the Year’ award for two consecutive years during his final years of school.
9. He was rated as brightest prospect and was ranked as the nation’s 13th best high school senior by HoopScoop. He made it to all the All-American and All-State teams of EA-Sports, Parade All-American, McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand All-America Teams.
10. Griffin accepted scholarship at University of Oklahoma on the instance of his brother Taylor Griffin. As a freshman he averaged 14.7 points with 9.1 rebounds and led Sooners to a 23-12 records. He literally put Oklahoma on the map, basketball-wise. He was named to the Big-12 All-Rookie Team to become the first rookie since 1983.
    
11. His sophomore year performance earned himall the six of the national player of the Year award, Naismith Award, Oscar Robertson Trophy, Adolph Rupp Trophy, John Wooden Award and Associated Press player of the Year.He was also named player of the year by the B12, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News and FoxSports.com by unanimous choice.
12. His decision to turn professional by opting for NBA draft forsaking two years of college drew national attention in ESPNews. He was the first pick by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2009 NBA Draft.
13. He delayed his NBA debut, when he injured his kneecap with a stress fracture a day before the start of 2009 seasonand subsequently had surgery on January 2010. He was named the Most Valuable Player during the pre-season Summer League.
14. He recorded the consecutive double-doubles of 27 games during 2010 season as being the longest streak by a rookie since 1968. He was also voted to 2011 NBA All-Star Game as reserve, to become the first rookie to play since 2003 and won the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest with 68% in the final.
15. He played all the 82 regular season games and became the first rookie to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds since 1999 season. He also captured all six of the Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors.
16. He led all rookies in points, rebounds and double-doubles in the 2010 season. He was selected to the NBA All-Rookie First Team andearned the Rookie of the Year award by unanimous choice. The Sports Illustrated listed him as one of the ‘NBA’s 15 Greatest Rookie of All Time.
17. Griffin was voted to starting line of 2012 NBA All-Star Game and was selected to inaugural Rising Stars Challenge team.
18. On July 10, 2012, he signed contract extension reportedly worth $ 95 million for five years. He helped Clippers to its first Pacific Division title.
19. He missed the bus to 2012 London Summer Olympic due to injury, after being selected. He sustained a torn meniscus during practice and was replace by Anthony Davis.
20. On December 08, 2014, he scored his career high 45 points including a game winning three-pointer as time expired to beat Phoenix Suns in overtime, 121-120. This was his first career game winning buzzer-beater.
    
21. On December 26, 2015, he suffered a partially torn left quadriceps during 94-84 victory against Los Angeles Lakers. After an MRI scan, he was expected to be out-of action for four weeks.
22. On January 23, 2016, Griffin threw punches at Clippers assistant equipment manager MatiasTesti, when good time turned ugly after teasing in a restaurant in Toronto. He suffered a spiral fracture of the fourth metacarpal in his right hand.
23. He returned to action on April 03, 2016, after missing 45 games in total due to injury and suspension only to be ruled out of action on April 26 aggravating the left quad injury in game 4 of first round playoff.
24. On November 09, 2016, in a match against Portland Trail Blazers Griffin with his fifth rebound, reached 4000 in 417 career games. He is the second fastest to reach 8,500 points, 4,000 rebounds and 1,500 assists since 1983-84 season.
25. On April 01, in a game against Los Angeles Lakers, with the game’s first basket on a jumper, he reached 10,000 points in his career. He is the second player in franchise history to reach the mark.
26. Griffin has a son named Ford Wilson Cameron-Griffin and a Daughter named Finley Elaine Griffin with his long-time girlfriend Brynn Cameron.
27. Griffin was charged with misdemeanor battery, for allegedly grabbing the neck and slapping Daniel Schuman and for seizing his cell phone. The charges were dropped for want of evidence.
28. He has started a fundraiser called ‘Dunking for Dollars’ in which he donates $ 100 for every dunk he makes as aid to fight childhood obesity. He also donated the Kia Sedan that he jumped to win the Slam Dunk Contest.
29. In 2011, he signed an exclusive long-term deal with Panini America, wherein his autograph and memorabilia will feature in their products.
30. On July 18, 2017, he renewed his contract with Clippers for five years in a $ 173 million deal.
    
31. Blake Griffin Net Worth: $30 Million