How Many Ex-NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

In this article, we will discuss how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses. In recent years, numerous present and former National Basketball Association (NBA) global league players opened up about their religious beliefs and used their platform to express their faith. The NBA contains a culturally and religiously miscellaneous collection of sportspeople. Some players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, while most competitors in the league are devotees or agnostics. Numerous Jehovah’s Witnesses are NBA players who left the league to concentrate on their health while following the sect.

Overview Of NBA On Jehovah’s Witnesses

The NBA [National Basketball Association] is a global league that structures players of all races, castes, and ethnicities. Numerous are vocal about their faith, repeatedly showing gratefulness to God in post-game interviews, trophy appearances, and social media. The NBA has also had some players that are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a minority assembly in the Christian faith with somewhat diverse beliefs. According to the Pew Research Center, only 0.8% of the population in the United States of America are Jehovah’s Witnesses. The number is even lesser in the NBA, with only three players spoken about actively being Jehovah’s Witnesses. Let’s discuss the most remarkable journey of those three players.

List Of Ex-NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

1. Danny Granger

Danny Granger is one of the NBA players who have reserved their faith in their careers. Having grown up in a Christian family, Danny has solid spiritual beliefs. He was publicly baptized after retiring from the game in 2017, two years after his final season in the NBA, with 586 career games under his belt. He spent nine seasons with the Pacers and was one of the top scorers on the team. After Indiana, he headfirst played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. Inopportunely for him, he could not win a championship.

In addition to his events on the court, Granger was famous for his philanthropic energies in Haiti and his encouragement for mental health responsiveness. He was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household and spent his early years with them at Kingdom Halls. Danny Granger’s Jehovah’s Witness faith supported him in handling the responsibilities of a leading athlete.

2. Darren Collinson

Darren Collinson was an offensive-set protector who had withdrawn around the league for over a decade. Collison’s career began in 2009 when he was a first-round pick by the then-New Orleans Hornets. From there, he played for six franchises, one of them being the Indiana Pacers. For religious reasons, Collison decided to step down from the NBA at 31 in 2019. In a conversation with Marc J. Spears, he questioned the importance of his faith to him and specified that he wanted to focus on his family and charity activities. He also grew up in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

One primary reason for leaving basketball was to obligate his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness fellow. However, he later initiated a balance and returned to the ground in 2021, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. The last time Collison was on a roster was in 2022, as he appeared in three games for the LA Lakers. Collison averages 12.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in his profession.

3. Dewayne Dedmon [Currently Of The Miami Heat]

Dewayne Dedmon is the most recent and best player on an NBA roster. However, the 7-foot center may not have been in the NBA if he had listened to his mother’s advice. Jehovah’s Witnesses raised Dedmon in a household, and his mother forbade him from playing basketball. As a teenager, he was thin, and due to his family’s religion, he wasn’t trained. However, he did the work and was ultimately picked up by the NBA. Dedmon hasn’t gained a championship yet and is entering the final stages of his career.

Like Collison, Dedmon recoiled around from team to team. He is well-matched up for a few organizations, including the Golden State Warriors, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat. Dedmon was on a roster as freshly as last season. He started his year with the Heat but initiated on the Philadelphia 76ers after approving a buyout. His inspiring story proves that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

The Developing Landscape Of Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

Predicting how many future NBA players will identify as Jehovah’s Witnesses is difficult. The faith faces unique challenges in attracting young people, and the demands of professional basketball can often clash with religious observances. However, the stories of Collison, Granger, Dedmon, and others like them have undoubtedly paved the way for future athletes to embrace their faith openly and confidently.

Conclusion

Hence, while the number of ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses might be relatively small, their stories hold immense significance. This article has merely scratched the surface of this fascinating intersection between faith and basketball. They offer a glimpse into the complex interplay between faith and athletic achievement, showcasing the strength and conviction it takes to prioritize one’s beliefs even in the face of immense pressure and opportunity. Their journeys are a testament to the continuing power of faith and its capability to guide individuals toward a life of purpose and meaning regardless of their background or profession.