The NBA has players of different backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs. However, there has been a question that has recently attracted the interest of fans: how many NBA players are the Jehovah Witnesses? Though this may not be the most numerous, the few players who practice this religion have motivated many with their discipline, faith and their life decisions. We will discuss them here, how many nba players are jehovah witnesses and how fanaticism and celebrity hood had a peculiar mix in the most competitive basketball league of the world.
NBA Players are Jehovah Witnesses: Overview
The Jehovah Witnesses are a Christian group that has firm belief in faith, family and service. They are known to have a door to door ministry, political indifference, and a unique perspective when it comes to holidays and festivals. Currently, the number of followers is over 8 million and the congregations are approximately 100,000 spread all over the globe.
Jehovah Witnesses generally have trouble in sports, as they have to strike a balance between spiritual and professional life of sportsmen. However, there are a few NBA super stars who have been able to stay true to both and this shows that it is possible to be a successful player on the field and at the same time a strong personal conviction.
Jehovah Witnesses NBA Players
As it is stated in numerous confirmed sources, there are at least three famous NBA players who are Jehovah Witnesses: Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon. They all possess their own stories with faith, perseverance, and devotion to their own values.
1. Danny Granger
Danny Granger had a nine year NBA career but spent most of it with the Indiana Pacers. Granger was a scorer and a leader who made himself an NBA All-Star in 2009. Being brought up in the family of Jehovah Witnesses, he was strongly affected by the religion in his childhood. But at a later stage in life, he more officially converted to it by being baptized in 2017, two years after leaving the league.
Since the author (Granger) is no longer in the active stage of life, spiritual and family life are more important to him, as opposed to fame or societal prominence. His story demonstrates that athletes will be able to leave the spotlight and live a more tranquil and religious life.
2. Darren Collison
The move made by Darren Collison came as a major shock to the basketball community as he announced his retirement in 2019, just in his prime, to concentrate on his life as a Jehovah Witness. During his ten year career in the NBA, Collison has represented the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings as well as Dallas Mavericks.
Collison in his emotional remark mentioned that he needed to spend more time with faith and family. He underlined the fact that his ideology mattered more than a career accomplishment. Though he briefly made a refund in 2021, playing in the Los Angeles Lakers, he did not change his commitment to his spiritual life. The story of Collison is one of the strongest stories of faith compared to fame in sports today.
3. Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon made it to NBA in a not-so-easy way. Being born in a family of the Jehovah Witnesses, his mother did not want him to play basketball at first due to their religious values. Nonetheless, the passion of the sport made Dedmon go on with the practice even secretly on some occasions.
Dedmon was later to get into the NBA through hard work and perseverance after joining the team of the Orlando Magic, Miami Heat, San Antonio Spurs, and Atlanta Hawks. He has proved that faith and passion can combine even when one is not following the right track. Dedmon is still respected with his strong will and respectful attitude towards religion and basketball.
Other Notable Mentions
Although the most well known in the history of the NBA have been Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon, other former players have also been affiliated with the sect. These include:
- Mark Jackson– Ex- NBA player and coach with extensive religious background.
- Michael Adams- Known to be a religious fanatic through and after his playing career.
- Reggie Theus and A.C. Green – They frequently come up in conjunction with powerful Christian and perhaps, Jehovah Witness backgrounds.
- Detlef Schrempf and Greg Ostertag – Are reported to have had attachments or family relationships with the faith.
Although it is not publicly confirmed, these names demonstrate that the influence of Jehovah Witnesses in basketball is not limited to a few players only.
The Impact of Faith on Their Professional Lives
In regards to Jehovah Witness players, the ideas of their faith tend to influence the way they approach fame, money, and competition. Some will not engage in things that are incompatible with their religious beliefs, e.g. some of their celebrations, political happenings or scandals in the media. This dedication can not only make them distinct, but to earn their company respect regarding their discipline. This was shown through the early retirement of Darren Collison who used faith to make life-and-death decisions. Equally, the spiritual orientation of Danny Granger after retirement and the refusal of Dedmon to give up his career despite family limitations use personal conviction as a guide to success on and off the field.
Conclusion
Therefore, what is the number of NBA player who are the Witnesses of Jehovah? At this point, at least three of the players, i.e. Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon, have been confirmed whose story still inspires fans all over the world. Their trips have been a scarcity of sporting perfection, human composure and non-relenting faith.