NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses; Danny Granger To Darren Collison

Jehovah’s Witnesses who play in the NBA are not uncommon. They opt for this religion for either personal or family reasons. This religion promotes and invites followers. NBA players have discussed how their beliefs have impacted their life.

Jehovah’s Witnesses is a Christian sect and it was founded in the 1870s. It has over 100,000 congregations in 2022, and many of its adherents will be well-known sports.

These sportsmen embrace their values by dressing modestly, refraining from body painting, and wearing simple, unostentatious attire. Additionally, they don’t observe holidays or engage in a lot of political activity.

Adopting the faith necessitates a change in lifestyle, which might have an impact on their professional prospects. It is a strict necessity, for example, to refuse blood transfusion. As a result, athletes must make difficult choices about their medical care. Former NBA player Derrick Gervin left the league totally after deciding to follow his religion rather than basketball.

There are no NBA clubs affiliated with this ideology. However, it has brought solace to Horace Grant, a former teammate of Michael Jordan. He has spoken about how his faith has enabled him to make wiser choices and maintain his composure. This faith has an impact on his life and the lives of many NBA players, improving him both on and off the pitch. Let’s take a look at the NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses followers:

NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

Dewayne Dedmon

One of the NBA’s top role players is Dewayne Dedmon. If Dedmon had listened to his mother, he might not have been currently playing in the NBA. Dedmon’s mother prevented him from playing basketball because they were Jehovah’s Witnesses while Dedmon was growing up.

Dedmon was thin as a teenager and wasn’t trained because of his family’s faith. He persevered though, and the NBA eventually signed him. Dedmon is nearing the end of his career and has yet to claim a championship.

Danny Granger

One of the Pacers’ top scorers during his nine seasons with the franchise was Danny Granger. The forward played for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers after Indiana. Unfortunately, he was unable to secure a championship.

Granger spent his childhood in a Jehovah’s Witness home, but he wasn’t baptized until 2017, two years after his final NBA season.

Darren Collison

From 2009 till 2019, Darren Collison was an active player in the NBA. He played in Sacramento for three years before spending four with the Indiana Pacers.  Collison also played for both Los Angeles teams, Dallas, and New Orleans.

Darren Collison chose to retire in 2019 and devote himself to his faith. After finishing a season in which he averaged 11.2 points and 6 assists per game with the Pacers, he took this decision at the age of 31.

Current NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

NBA players including Trey Burke, Jahlil Okafor, and Jonathan Isaac all practice the Jehovah’s Witness religion. These athletes prioritize their faith over their professional futures. The Jehovah’s Witnesses follow moral principles in both the home and in court.

Former NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

It is not unusual for former NBA players to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. They left a lingering impression on the NBA. There are no NBA players who practice this religion right now, however Mark Jackson, a well-known basketball analyst, and James Jordan, Michael Jordan’s father, both did so while they were playing professionally.

Tennis Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

Some well-known sports figures are Jehovah’s Witnesses. We’ll highlight a handful of them, including well-known tennis players and boxers who have openly professed their faith.

Serena Williams is one of the most well-known Jehovah’s Witness athletes. Kevin Anderson, Tim Smyczek, and Daniel Nestor are a few other well-known tennis players who practice this religion. Even when there is intense competition pressure, these sportsmen have said that their religious beliefs help them maintain their inner serenity. They have been able to accomplish their goals and set a good example for others because they trusted in their religion.

Boxing Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

Sugar Ray Leonard is a well-known Jehovah’s Witness boxer. Other prominent boxers who are currently competing and following Jehovah’s Witnesses include middleweight champion Demetrius Andrade, former WBC heavyweight champion Bermane Stiverne, and super featherweight contender Tevin Farmer. These boxers credit their unshakeable faith for their success.

Jehovah’s Witnesses FAQs: