The National Basketball Association (NBA) is one of the most prestigious leagues in the world with players all around the corner. While most players come from different religions, nationalities, races, and sexualities. There are few NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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What Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
A Christian denomination that is understood for door-to-door evangelism is referred to as Jehovah’s Witnesses. This first originated in the year 1870s. It has more than 100,000 communities in 2022 and many of its members are renowned athletes.
The communities believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, he died on the cross to atone for human sins. The followers of Jehovah’s Witnesses have a firm belief that the Bible is the word of God and that people should live their lives according to its teachings.
Throughout its history, members of the NBA have belonged to this denomination. Some players even retired to focus on their health. You can read about three current NBA players in this article who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
1. Danny Granger
Danny Granger, a former Indiana Pacers along with Los Angeles Clippers, and Miami Heat is a Jehovah’s Witnesses. With the Pacers, Granger played nine seasons and was one of the best scorers on the team. Granger unfortunately could not win a championship. By Jehovah’s Witnesses, Granger was raised in a religious household but wasn’t baptized until the year 2017, two years later he retired from the game.
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2. Dewayne Dedmon
One of the best role players in the NBA, Dewayne Dedmon plays for the Miami Heat. If he had followed his mother’s advice, the 7-foot center may not have been featured in the NBA. Dedmon was also raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses in a religious household and was a baptized member of the church in 2017. From playing basketball, his mother forbade him citing religious reasons.
Dedmon was skinny as a teenager and he wasn’t coached properly due to his family’s religion. He worked hard and eventually get picked up by the NBA. Dedmon once stated that his faith gave him the strength to overcome challenges. Dedmon is entering the final stages of his career but he hasn’t won any championship.
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3. Darren Collison
From 2009 to 2019, Darren Collison played in the NBA with the Indiana Pacers for four years and he also spent three years in Sacramento. The former point guard also played for New Orleans, Dallas, and both the Los Angeles teams. He became a baptized member of the Church in 2013 and he was also raised by a religious household by Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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To focus on his faith, Collison retired from the NBA in the year 2019. At 31 years of age, Collison made this decision after coming off colors in a season where he averaged 11.2 and 6 assists per game for the Pacers. However, in December 2021, Collison returned to the NBA and signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers. He featured only in three games and the Lakers released him after his contract get expired.
