The NBA, a league known for its cultural and religious diversity, features a mix of players with different faiths and beliefs. While some players identify as Jehovah’s Witnesses, the majority in the league may follow different religious paths or hold varying beliefs, including agnosticism. let’s meet the 4 ex NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses
The Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Religious sect that was founded in the 1870s. As of 2022, it has over 100,000 members, and many of its adherents are well-known athletes.
The nontrinitarian beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses set them apart from other branches of Christianity. They are a millenarian restorationist Christian sect. According to the organization, 8.5 million people globally actively participate in evangelism, and over 19.7 million people attend annual memorial services.
The Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, a body of elders in Warwick, New York, United States, directs the Jehovah’s Witnesses, developing all beliefs based on interpretations of the Bible.
They hold that the current order of things will be destroyed at Armageddon and that the only way to end all human suffering is to establish God’s kingdom on earth.
Members of the NBA have identified with this denomination throughout its existence, and one player even retired to concentrate on his health.
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NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses
1. Darren Collison
From 2009 through 2019, Darren Collison was an NBA player. He spent three years in Sacramento and four years with the Indiana Pacers. Playing as a point guard, he also had stints with the Los Angeles teams in Dallas, New Orleans, and Los Angeles.
Collison chose to retire and concentrate on his faith in 2019. After finishing a season with the Pacers in which he averaged 11.2 points and 6 assists per game, he made this choice at the age of 31.
“While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith,” Collison announced before retiring.
During his basketball career, Collison chose not to play on Sundays, a day of rest for Jehovah’s Witnesses, due to his religious beliefs. He also spent much of his off-seasons working with members of his local congregation as a ministerial servant and Bible teacher.
In December 2021, Darren joined the NBA once more and agreed to a 10-day deal with the Lakers. Only three games saw him play before the Lakers released him when his contract ran out.
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2. Danny Granger
Danny Granger is also one of the other NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Granger played for the Pacers for nine seasons and was one of their top scorers. After Indiana, the forward played for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers. He could not, regrettably, claim a championship.
Granger grew up in a devout Jehovah’s Witness home, but he wasn’t baptized until 2017, two seasons after his NBA career came to an end.
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Danny Granger’s cousin Keith controversy?
NBA fans have turned Danny Granger’s cousin, Keith, into a legendary urban myth.
Recently, comedian Brittany Schmitt gained viral attention after recounting a tale of engaging in a threesome with a former NBA player and his cousin.
According to the story, the player, who remains unnamed, is a devout Jehovah’s Witness.
Currently, only two active NBA players are known to follow this religion.
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3. Dewayne Dedmon
One of the NBA’s top supporting players, Dewayne Dedmon might never have played in the NBA had he listened to his mother who didn’t want him to play basketball because they were Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The 7-foot center was scrawny as a teenager and wasn’t trained because of his family’s faith. He persevered though, and the NBA eventually signed him.
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4. Dave Meyers
Former Milwaukee Bucks player Dave Meyers played as a forward for the UCLA Bruins in college, where he won two national titles. He was selected with the second overall pick in the first round of the 1975 NBA draft. Meyers spent four years as a paid member of the Bucks.
Meyers unexpectedly announced in 1980 that he was quitting basketball to spend more time with his family. Also, he wanted to spend more time practicing his Jehovah’s Witness faith. On October 9, 2015, he passed away at the age of 62 from cancer.
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Conclusion
NBA players come from a wide range of origins and religions. While some players practice established religions like Christianity, others have more esoteric or unorthodox religious beliefs.
It’s fascinating that many former NBA players have converted to the Jehovah’s Witness faith.
Whichever faith an NBA player follows, their spiritual path can be interesting.
“We hope this article about NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses has provided you with sufficient information regarding the religious beliefs of your favorite NBA players.”
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FAQS For NBA Players Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses
Who in the NBA was a Jehovah’s Witness?
Based on information from Google, there are three known NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
These players include Dewayne Dedmon, who currently plays for the Miami Heat, and two former Indiana Pacers teammates, Danny Granger and Darren Collison.
How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses with a cousin named Keith?
There are only two NBA players known to be Jehovah’s Witnesses with a cousin named Keith: Danny Granger and Darren Collison. How do we know this? A comedian asked us to Google it.
How many Jehovah’s Witnesses are in the US?
Jehovah’s Witnesses have an estimated 1.3 million members in the United States.
Are there any famous Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Serena Williams, the renowned tennis champion, was brought up in the Jehovah’s Witness faith and still adheres to many of its beliefs today.
The Jackson family was also raised in the same religion, but some of its members, such as Janet Jackson, no longer follow the faith.
