Griffey played for Lafayette High School, and was coached by Scott Allen and Dave Porter. The summer prior to his senior year, Griffey was selected to play as a member of the 2009 Adidas Nations USA team among the likes of Brandon Knight, Lance Stephenson, and Derrick Favors; the team was coached by Paul Silas.[1] As a senior, Griffey was named a member of the 2009 Missouri All-State Team as selected by the Missouri Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association and also left Lafayette High School as their all-time scorer and rebounder.[2]
Griffey majored in kinesiology at the University of Illinois. He is the son of Chris and Deanna Griffey and has two younger sisters, Brenna and Taryn, and a younger brother, Trey. Griffey also has an uncle, Rich Stephens, who was a member of the Oakland Raiders as an offensive lineman from 1992–1996.[8] Griffey also attended the same high school as former Illinois basketball player Robert Archibald.[2]