The world of professional basketball rarely intersects with deeply committed religious faith, yet there exists a fascinating connection between former NBA stars and the Jehovah’s Witnesses community. While millions of fans follow the league’s action-packed games and celebrate their favorite players’ achievements, few realize that some athletes have walked away from lucrative careers to pursue spiritual devotion.
Jehovah’s Witnesses represent a Christian denomination known for their distinctive beliefs and practices. Members of this faith community follow strict lifestyle guidelines that often clash with the demands and culture of professional sports. This unique dynamic has led several talented basketball players to make difficult choices between their careers and their convictions.
The question of how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses intrigues fans because it highlights the powerful role faith can play in life decisions. These athletes faced unique challenges, from missing team celebrations to navigating schedule conflicts with religious meetings. Their stories reveal the real human beings behind the jerseys and remind us that life extends far beyond the hardwood. Understanding how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses requires examining both confirmed cases and the challenges these athletes faced in balancing professional sports with religious devotion.
Understanding Jehovah’s Witnesses
Jehovah’s Witnesses practice a form of Christianity that emphasizes biblical teachings and evangelism. The organization has approximately 8 million members worldwide who dedicate themselves to studying scripture and sharing their faith with others. Their beliefs center on the worship of Jehovah God and the importance of Jesus Christ as the means of salvation.
Members follow specific lifestyle requirements that set them apart from mainstream culture. They do not celebrate holidays like Christmas, Easter, or birthdays, viewing these observances as having pagan origins. Political neutrality is another cornerstone of their faith, meaning Jehovah’s Witnesses typically do not vote, run for office, or salute national flags. Door-to-door ministry work remains a fundamental practice, with members regularly spending time preaching in their communities.
These beliefs create significant conflicts with professional sports culture. NBA teams celebrate players’ birthdays, participate in national anthem ceremonies, and engage in holiday festivities. The demanding schedule of an NBA season leaves little time for the regular meeting attendance and ministry work that active Jehovah’s Witnesses prioritize. Players must practice multiple times weekly, travel extensively, and maintain availability for games that often conflict with religious gatherings.
Being an active member requires substantial commitment. Witnesses typically attend multiple meetings each week, engage in personal Bible study, and participate in evangelism activities. This level of devotion becomes nearly impossible to maintain while pursuing the grueling schedule of professional basketball. These factors help explain why many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, although the number remains small due to inherent conflicts.
Confirmed Ex-NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses
Danny Granger
Danny Granger enjoyed a successful NBA career primarily with the Indiana Pacers, where he became an All-Star in 2009. The small forward averaged 16.8 points per game throughout his career and served as one of the franchise’s cornerstone players during the early 2010s. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before retiring in 2015.
Granger’s journey to becoming a Jehovah’s Witness occurred during his playing days. He began studying with Witnesses and eventually got baptized while still active in the league. His faith influenced his approach to basketball, and he spoke openly about how his beliefs shaped his perspective on life and success. When discussing how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, Granger stands as one of the most prominent examples.
After retirement, Granger embraced his faith more fully. He has participated in ministry work and attended conventions, dedicating time to spiritual pursuits that were challenging to maintain during his playing career. His transition from NBA star to devoted Witness demonstrates how athletes can find fulfillment beyond sports.
Darren Collison
Darren Collison shocked the basketball world in 2019 when he announced his retirement at just 31 years old. The talented point guard had averaged 12.5 points and 5.0 assists per game over his decade-long career with teams including the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, and Sacramento Kings. He was coming off a solid season and appeared to have several productive years remaining.
In his retirement statement, Collison explained that his decision stemmed from his desire to focus on his faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. He expressed that while basketball had been his life, he felt called to dedicate himself to spiritual matters and ministry work. His public statements emphasized the pull of religious devotion and his wish to serve his faith community more fully. Collison’s case is crucial when considering how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Collison briefly reconsidered returning to the NBA in 2020, with several teams expressing interest in signing him. However, after prayerful consideration, he ultimately decided to remain retired and continue his focus on faith. His choice illustrated the depth of his commitment to his beliefs over the allure of professional basketball.
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon’s story differs from other players because he was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness. His mother, a devout member of the faith, initially opposed his pursuit of basketball. She believed the sport would distract him from spiritual matters and lead him away from the congregation’s teachings. This created considerable tension during his youth as he developed his basketball talents.
Despite these challenges, Dedmon pursued his NBA dreams. He went undrafted in 2013 but eventually carved out a solid career as a center, playing for multiple teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, and Miami Heat. His journey required him to balance his upbringing with his professional aspirations.
Throughout his career, Dedmon has navigated the complex relationship between his faith background and his basketball profession. While he has continued playing, his experience highlights the unique challenges faced by those raised in the faith who choose careers in professional sports. His story adds nuance to understanding how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, as some maintain connections to the faith despite remaining active in basketball.
Other Players with Connections
When people ask how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, A.C. Green’s name frequently appears in conversations. However, this represents a common misconception. Green, known for his ironman streak and commitment to celibacy before marriage, was actually a devout Christian but not a Jehovah’s Witness. He practiced evangelical Christianity and spoke openly about his faith throughout his career. This confusion demonstrates how easy it is to conflate different expressions of religious devotion in professional sports.
Other players have occasionally been mentioned in connection with the faith, though concrete evidence often proves elusive. The private nature of religious belief means that some current or former players may have connections to Jehovah’s Witnesses without making public statements about their affiliation. Some athletes were raised in Witness households but moved away from active practice as adults.
An important distinction exists between those raised in the faith and active practitioners. Being raised as a Jehovah’s Witness doesn’t automatically mean someone remains an active member throughout adulthood. Conversely, some players like Granger came to the faith later in life. This distinction matters when attempting to answer definitively how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The Challenges of Being an NBA Player and Jehovah’s Witness
The NBA schedule creates immediate conflicts for practicing Jehovah’s Witnesses. Teams play games on nights when congregations hold their midweek meetings, making regular attendance nearly impossible. The 82-game regular season stretches from October through April, overlapping significantly with religious obligations. Away games compound this difficulty, as players travel constantly and cannot maintain consistent involvement with their local congregation.
Team celebrations present another obstacle. NBA franchises mark birthdays with cakes and recognition, creating awkward situations for Witnesses who don’t observe such occasions. Holiday parties around Christmas and other festivities require players to navigate their participation carefully. These events serve as critical team-bonding experiences, yet participating contradicts the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
National anthem ceremonies occur before every game, presenting a visible dilemma. Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain political neutrality and typically do not salute flags or participate in patriotic displays. In the evident NBA environment, where cameras capture every pre-game moment, standing apart from these traditions draws attention and potential criticism. Players must decide how to maintain their beliefs while avoiding controversy respectfully.
Birthday celebrations and team bonding activities permeate NBA culture. Teammates celebrate personal milestones together, building camaraderie through shared experiences. For a Witness, explaining why they cannot participate in birthday recognition or particular social gatherings requires repeated conversations and can create feelings of separation from the team.
The demanding nature of professional sports fundamentally conflicts with religious commitments. NBA players dedicate countless hours to practice, film study, training, and games. The physical and mental exhaustion leaves little energy for ministry work, meeting attendance, or personal scripture study. This tension between professional excellence and spiritual devotion becomes unsustainable for many faithful Witnesses. These challenges directly impact how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, as the lifestyle proves incompatible for most athletes.
Why Some Players Leave the NBA for Their Faith
The pull of religious devotion motivates some players to walk away from basketball. For dedicated Jehovah’s Witnesses, the faith represents more than weekend worship—it defines their entire worldview and purpose. When the demands of professional basketball prevent them from living according to their beliefs, retirement becomes the only option that aligns with their conscience.
Desire for ministry work drives others to leave the game. Jehovah’s Witnesses view evangelism as a core responsibility, and many members serve as full-time ministers or pioneers. Former players like Collison expressed wanting to dedicate themselves more fully to this work, which the NBA schedule made impossible. The opportunity to share their faith and help others holds more profound meaning for them than continued athletic achievement.
Family considerations factor into these decisions. The NBA lifestyle involves extensive travel, lengthy absences from home, and irregular schedules. For players who want to raise their children within the faith and maintain strong family units, the professional sports world presents obstacles. Retiring allows them to prioritize their families and ensure their children receive the spiritual education they value.
Financial security enables early retirement that might otherwise seem impractical. Successful NBA players earn substantial salaries, and even role players can accumulate enough wealth to support themselves and their families after leaving the game. This financial cushion allows them to pursue faith-based activities without economic hardship, making the transition more feasible.
Personal testimonies and statements from retired players emphasize the peace they found in choosing faith over fame. They describe feeling conflicted during their playing days and experiencing relief after retirement. While outsiders might view their decisions as walking away from opportunity, these athletes frame their choices as moving toward something more meaningful. Understanding these motivations helps explain how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses and why that number remains relatively small.
Current State and Final Count
So, how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? Based on confirmed public information, approximately 3-4 former NBA players have clear connections to the faith. Danny Granger and Darren Collison are notable examples of players who continue to practice as Jehovah’s Witnesses after their careers. Dewayne Dedmon was raised in the faith, though his current level of active participation remains his private matter.
Personal faith remains a private topic for many individuals, including professional athletes. Some former players may practice as Jehovah’s Witnesses without making public statements about their beliefs. The decision to discuss one’s faith openly is personal, and not every athlete chooses to share this aspect of their life with the media or fans.
Obtaining exact numbers proves difficult for several reasons. Religious affiliation isn’t tracked officially by the NBA, and congregation membership records remain confidential. Players who quietly attend meetings or study with Witnesses may never make headlines. Additionally, faith journeys evolve—someone might become interested in the religion years after retirement or, conversely, move away from beliefs they held during their playing days.
The question of how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses likely has a modest answer numerically, but the significance of these cases extends beyond mere statistics. Each player’s story represents a profound personal choice and highlights the intersection of professional sports with deeply held convictions. When fans research how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, they discover stories of sacrifice, conviction, and personal transformation.
Conclusion
The stories of former NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses remain relatively rare but deeply significant. These athletes achieved success at basketball’s highest level, yet they found something more valuable than championship rings or scoring titles. Their decisions to prioritize faith over fortune challenge common assumptions about what drives professional athletes and what constitutes a meaningful life.
These choices deserve respect regardless of one’s personal religious views. Walking away from millions of dollars and the adulation of fans requires conviction that transcends material concerns. Whether someone agrees with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses or not, the willingness to sacrifice a career for conscience demonstrates admirable integrity.
The broader conversation about faith and professional sports continues to evolve. Athletes increasingly speak openly about their religious beliefs and how spirituality shapes their approach to competition. The cases of Granger, Collison, and others add an essential dimension to this dialogue, showing that for some players, there comes a point where the demands of professional basketball become incompatible with their faith.
To directly answer the title question: How many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? The confirmed number stands at approximately 3-4, with Danny Granger and Darren Collison being the most publicly known. However, this modest figure tells a larger story about the challenges of maintaining devout religious practice while competing at basketball’s highest level. It reminds us that athletes are complete human beings whose identities extend far beyond their sport, and sometimes the most courageous play happens off the court. The answer to how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses may be numerically small, but the impact of their stories resonates far beyond the basketball court.
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