One of the leading basketball leagues in the world is generally regarded as the National Basketball Association (NBA). Some NBA players have gained fame for their athletic prowess, artistic talent, and religious beliefs. Many former NBA players are now Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Evangelistic activities are a hallmark of Jehovah’s Witnesses. They maintain plenty of ideas, nevertheless, that are in opposition to those of traditional Christianity. They value private Bible study but reject public demonstrations of religion, such as blood donations and birthday celebrations. Its followers are renowned for their strong adherence to the Bible and faith that ethical principles govern moral elements of daily life.
The experiences of How Many Ex NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses and how their belief has influenced their lives both on and off the court will be discussed in this article. The most prestigious basketball league worldwide has players from many countries, ethnicities, and religions. These individual stories show the fusion of faith and sports, from dealing with discrimination to discovering a purpose outside of basketball.
History of The Jehovah’s Witnesses
Charles Taze Russell established the Christian community known as the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late 19th century. They are renowned for their door-to-door teaching and belief that the world’s end is near.
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Bible should be the last authority in all questions of faith and behavior, who regard it as God’s inspired message. They also disagree with the Trinity idea, contending that Jesus is God’s son but not a member of the holy trinity.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not accept blood transfusions because they feel that doing so violates biblical teaching, making this one of their most distinguishing characteristics. They also don’t observe festivals like Christmas or Easter since they think they have pagan roots.
The Jehovah’s Witnesses prioritize evangelism and feel compelled to spread their beliefs to others. They accomplish this through their door-to-door outreach, the distribution of literature, and the conducting of meetings in their worship spaces, known as Kingdom Halls. Around eight million people worldwide belong to the tiny Christian denomination, Jehovah’s Witnesses.
How Many Ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Google claims that three current and former NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, including Dewayne Dedmon of the Miami Heat, Danny Granger, and Darren Collison of the Indiana Pacers. Schmitt is likely referring to Granger based on the other distinguishing characteristics (light skin tone). Granger and Collison had a Keith-named cousin, and neither did a quick Google search.
Danny Granger
Danny Granger was a skilled small forward who played in the NBA from 2005 to 2015. He paid most of his career with the Indiana Pacers and was an All-Star in 2009. Granger was well known for his charitable donations in Haiti, his advocacy of mental health awareness, and his work on the court.
Granger spent his early years visiting Kingdom Halls with them because he was reared in a Jehovah’s Witness household. He stated that his religion had given him the strength to manage the pressures of being a professional athlete in an interview with the Indianapolis Star published in 2008.
“I have a great feeling of serenity as a Jehovah’s Witness, and that peace goes over to the basketball court,” Granger said. “When I’m out there, I’m not thinking about all the pressure and the noise. I’m just playing the game I love.”
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon has previous NBA club experience with the Miami Heat, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks. He didn’t start playing high school basketball until his last year due to his mother’s limitations placed on him due to his faith. His Jehovah’s Witness mother forbade him from engaging in sports.
Dedmon, though, was enthusiastic about playing basketball since he loved it and worked hard to develop his skills. After he caught the eye of college recruiters, a spot on the USC Trojans men’s basketball team finally became available. After college, he was not selected, but in 2013, he ultimately joined the Golden State Warriors.
Dedmon says that his difficulties at the beginning of his basketball career were surmounted thanks to his religion. In a Business Insider interview, he stated, “I can frankly say that my faith has allowed me to overcome a lot of hardship in my life. It has helped me keep my composure and attitude amid trying circumstances.”
Darren Collison
Darren Collison was a former point guard in the National Basketball Association who played for groups such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, and Indiana Pacers between 2009 and 2019. He scored 12.5 points throughout his career and distributed five assists a game.
At 31, Collison declared his retirement from the NBA, citing spiritual reasons. In an interview with Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated, he underlined his faith’s significance and wanted to prioritize his family and help others.
Like Granger and Dedmon, he was raised in a family of Jehovah’s Witnesses. In the same interview, he talked about his challenges in juggling his career and faith, but he ultimately believed that his religious beliefs always came first.
Final Thoughts
NBA athletes represent a diverse spectrum of cultures and beliefs. Others have more hidden or unconventional religious ideas, while other gamers adhere to mainstream religions like Christianity. The fact that many Ex NBA players are now Jehovah’s Witnesses is remarkable. Whatever belief system NBA player practices, their spiritual journey may be fascinating.
We trust that our article How Many Ex NBA Players are Jehovah’s Witnesses has given you enough knowledge on the religious affiliations of your favorite NBA players.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Google revealed that three well-known NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses. These athletes include Danny Granger and Darren Collison, two former Indiana Pacers colleagues, and Dewayne Dedmon, a current member of the Miami Heat.
Are There Any Famous Jehovah’s Witnesses?
The well-known tennis player Serena Williams was raised as a Jehovah’s Witness and continues to follow many of its ideals today. Although the Jackson family was reared in the same religion, some, like Janet Jackson, no longer practiced their religion.
Which NBA player retired for religion?
After the 2018–19 campaign, he averaged 11 points and six assists. Collison made the NBA aware of his retirement on June 28, 2019. He retired because of his religious beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness. He was predicted to get many contract offers totaling about $10 million each season.
How many Jehovah’s Witnesses are in the world today?
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a worldwide Christian sect established in the US in about 1870. The denomination’s website claims to have 8.7 million active members in 239 nations.
What religion is similar to Jehovah’s Witness?
While both Jehovah’s Witnesses and Seventh-day Adventists strongly emphasize the Second Coming of Christ, they belong to different denominations with distinct histories and distinctive traditions. Following the Great Disappointment of 1844, the Adventist or “Millerite movement gave rise to the Seventh-Day Adventist movement.
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