Blake Griffin and his brother are frequently mentioned together due to their shared basketball background and public family profile. This explainer covers what is verifiable about their relationship, family context, and individual careers. It focuses on documented roles, timelines, and contrasts between the brothers, avoiding speculation. The aim is to clarify who his brother is, how their paths intersected, and how each built a professional identity shaped by family influence, work ethic, and high-level competition.
Who is Blake Griffin’s brother
Blake Griffin’s brother is his older brother, Taylor Griffin. Taylor played basketball at the University of Oklahoma and was drafted in the second round of the 2009 NBA draft by the Los Angeles Clippers. He played power forward and center, spending parts of six NBA seasons with the Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and Brooklyn Nets. While Blake achieved higher profile and accolades early in his career, Taylor contributed as a solid role player, valued for energy, defense, and versatility. The brothers grew up in Oklahoma, played together in college, and later shared the league as teammates during parts of their careers, establishing a fraternal basketball connection that drew consistent public interest.
Family background and upbringing
Their father, Tommy Griffin, played basketball at Oklahoma State and later coached youth and high school basketball. Their mother, Gail Griffin, worked as a teacher and administrator in the same school district where the boys first learned to play. The family lived in Oklahoma, where both brothers developed their game at home and in local programs. This environment emphasized discipline, ball-handling, and competitive play. Blake and Taylor often spoke about learning fundamentals early, practicing daily, and using their backyard and local courts to build skills that shaped their future careers.
Key family facts
- Older brother: Taylor Griffin, born two years before Blake
- Father: Tommy Griffin, walk-on at Oklahoma State; later a basketball coach
- Mother: Gail Griffin, educator and school administrator in Oklahoma
- Upbringing: Oklahoma; youth basketball through school and community programs
College and amateur careers
Both brothers played college basketball at Oklahoma, teaming up from 2005 to 2007. In the 2006–07 season, Taylor was the team’s leading rebounder and earned Big 12 All-Defensive Team honors, while Blake averaged 18.8 points and 9.1 rebounds and was a consensus first-team All-American. Their time together in Norman showcased complementary skills, with Taylor handling veteran leadership and interior defense, and Blake providing scoring and playmaking. After his junior year, Blake entered the 2007 NBA draft, while Taylor completed his college eligibility before also testing the draft waters in 2009.
NBA careers and professional paths
Blake Griffin was drafted first overall in 2009 by the Los Angeles Clippers and quickly became a star, earning multiple All-Star selections and All-NBA honors. Taylor was selected with the 48th overall pick by the Clippers in 2009 and developed into a steady NBA contributor, playing for several teams. Below is a concise comparison of key professional milestones for each brother.
Career comparison
| Attribute | Blake Griffin | Taylor Griffin | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft year | 2007 (1st overall) | 2009 (48th overall) | NBA draft records |
| Primary teams | Clippers, Pistons, Bucks, Celtics | Clippers, Mavericks, Suns, Nets | NBA.com, team rosters |
| All-Star selections | 5-time All-Star | 0 | NBA records |
| All-NBA honors | 2-time All-NBA | None | NBA awards & honors |
| Key accolades | Rookie of the Year, All-NBA, All-Star MVP (2011) | Big 12 All-Defensive Team (college) | Official NBA, college sites |
| Career length (NBA) | 14 seasons | 6 seasons | Basketball-Reference |
Across their overlapping time in Los Angeles, they were teammates on the Clippers, sharing practices and game preparation. Taylor’s minutes were typically role-player oriented, while Blake carried a primary scoring and playmaking load. The differences highlight how two skilled brothers can follow distinct professional paths even with similar origins.
On-court dynamics and playing styles
Blake and Taylor shared size, ball-handling, and offensive instincts, but their roles diverged in the NBA. Blake emerged as a high-usage scorer, finisher at the rim, and pick-and-roll threat, while Taylor functioned as a versatile role player, contributing on defense, in transition, and as a spot-up shooter. Teams used Taylor for energy off the bench or as a starter in limited roles. Their time together allowed for strong on-court chemistry, with Taylor understanding Blake’s tendencies and helping facilitate actions in early-season practices.
Public perception and media coverage
Media coverage consistently framed Blake and Taylor as basketball brothers, noting their shared Oklahoma roots, family values, and the contrast between Blake’s star power and Taylor’s steady professionalism. Interviews from both players emphasized pride in each other’s work and mutual support. Neither publicly emphasized direct comparisons, instead focusing on personal development and team contributions. This framing helped establish them as complementary stories within the broader basketball narrative, highlighting family influence without reducing either to the other’s shadow.
Current activities and legacy
Since leaving the NBA, Taylor has remained involved in basketball through training, player development, and occasional media appearances, while Blake has continued in professional play and transitioned into broadcast and front-office-adjacent roles. Both have spoken about the importance of family in their careers, crediting early competition and shared routines for building resilience and professionalism. Their relationship remains a point of interest for fans who follow the influence of family backgrounds on athlete development and long-term career sustainability.