The NBA features players with varied backgrounds and beliefs. Some NBA players subscribe to Jehovah’s Witnesses religion which adheres to strict biblical principles.
Dewayne Dedmon, Danny Granger and Darren Collison are among a group of NBA players who are dedicated to Jehovah’s Witness faith and family life. These players have chosen to dedicate themselves fully to these beliefs in their life choices and on the court. Read more to learn about how many ex nba players are jehovah’s witnesses.
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon, one of the NBA’s finest supporting players, almost missed his shot if his mother hadn’t raised him as a Jehovah’s Witness and disapproved of playing basketball due to her faith. Instead, Dedmon eventually became one of Indiana Pacers star players but did not undergo baptism until 2017 and is now full time pastor.
Although most NBA players are Christians, a small number are Jehovah’s Witnesses – athletes who follow a religion founded in the late 19th century by Charles Taze Russell with 8.7 million worldwide followers as of today. NBA players such as Darren Collison, Danny Granger and Dewayne Dedmon have spoken publicly about their religious affiliation as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
NBA athletes represent diverse nationalities, races, and religions. One religious sect founded in the 1870s that has gained prominence through basketball players is Jehovah’s Witnesses; with more than 100,000 congregations around the globe and several players having converted – such as former Indiana Pacers stars Danny Granger and Darren Collison who retired to devote themselves fully to their beliefs; it has made these athletes popular with sports fans while providing them an avenue for spreading their beliefs.
Danny Granger
The NBA is home to players of different nationalities, races, and faiths; some even make the decision to retire in order to focus more closely on their faith. Although most choose to keep their religious affiliations private, a few have spoken publicly about how their religious beliefs have impacted their careers.
Danny Granger is one such player. Growing up with parents who identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses, but not becoming members until 2017, Danny believes the church has taught him respect and humility while simultaneously helping him grow as an individual.
Darren Collison is another former NBA player who is an outspoken Jehovah’s Witness and who played for various teams such as Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat during his NBA career before retiring in 2019 to focus on his faith more fully.
Darren Collison
The NBA is an inclusive league of players of varying nationalities, races and religions – even some former NBA players who follow Jehovah’s Witnesses have found a way to reconcile their religious convictions with a career in basketball.
The Witnesses are a Christian-based religion known for their door-to-door evangelism and unique beliefs. They adhere to strict rules, abstain from certain practices such as celebrating birthdays or receiving blood transfusions, and follow a strict set of beliefs. We will explore how the Witnesses have had an impactful influence on former NBA players through this article.
Dewayne Dedmon, Danny Granger and Darren Collison are three Jehovah’s Witnesses who have all played in the NBA. Dedmon’s mother did not initially encourage his basketball career due to his faith, yet he persevered to become one of its finest NBA players.
Granger and Collison both played for the Indiana Pacers; Collison announced his retirement from the NBA in 2019 citing faith as one of his motivations. After briefly joining the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers last year for 10 days but leaving after only 10, his focus has since shifted towards family, philanthropic endeavors, and being involved with Witnesses Kingdom Hall committee work.
