What Ex NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

The NBA is an international game, drawing players from different races, backgrounds and religious faiths – one such faith group being Jehovah’s Witnesses which boasts 8.7 million adherents across 240 countries around the globe.

Former NBA players Danny Granger and Darren Collison both profess the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Both players spent time with the Indiana Pacers before transitioning into management positions with other organizations. This article shows how many ex nba players are jehovah’s witnesses.

Dewayne Dedmon

An NBA player and Jehovah’s Witness, Dewayne Dedmon grew up in a family that practiced their faith every Saturday by going door-to-door. However, against his mother’s wishes he pursued basketball as a career path; eventually making it into the NBA where he has played on 10 teams during his time.

Dedmon was raised in Southern California. However, due to his mother being a Jehovah’s Witness who disapproved of playing sports due to team sports encouraging allegiance away from God; nonetheless he persevered and has gone on to play over 507 NBA games since.

While no definitive statistics exist to ascertain how many former NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, it is clear that their numbers are rising. Some former basketball players, such as Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers and Darren Collison of the Boston Celtics, have even transitioned into religion full-time; comedian Brittany Schmitt mentioned she once had an intimate relationship with one who is light skinned – though no name was mentioned here.

Danny Granger

Former NBA players have taken to adopting the religious beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, an international religious sect that attracts members worldwide. Many former athletes in this league have converted to this faith; some even retiring to focus on spiritual development after becoming members.

Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers was one such player. Drafted 17th overall in 2005, Granger played for 10 seasons before retiring in 2017 to focus on his faith and pursue other interests.

Granger was raised in a religious household, yet wasn’t officially baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness until 2017 – two years after his playing career had concluded. His journey shows it is possible to embrace one’s faith at any stage in life – while still fulfilling dreams while staying true to beliefs. Although no longer playing basketball himself, Granger still makes an impactful statement through television commentating and analysis for NBA games; and remains involved with charity work (he serves on National Council on Aging membership and as trustee for University of Indianapolis trustee). Furthermore he’s an advocate for civil rights as well as speaking engagements at many schools and universities nationwide.

Darren Collison

The NBA is an amalgam of diversity, featuring players from varying backgrounds. Many adhere to a faith such as Jehovah’s Witness Darren Collison who recently retired. According to him, religion has had a great effect on his life and family comes first in life and volunteer work worldwide ministry is also an enjoyable aspect of life for him.

NBA players face numerous challenges on and off the court, such as trying to balance work with play. Their faith often helps them remain grounded during highs and lows of their career – as evidenced by Kobe Bryant’s retirement due to religious convictions in 2016 or AC Green’s vow of celibacy during his playing days due to their religion.

Jehovah’s Witnesses have an intense devotion to spiritual principles and community involvement that have made them an influencer in professional sports, most notably with NBA players like Darren Collison, Dewayne Dedmon and Danny Granger who were former Jehovah’s Witnesses themselves – known for being influential figures who put their faith first en route to successful NBA careers. These athletes’ commitment has allowed them to achieve greatness on the basketball court!

 

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