NBA Players Who Are Jehovahs Witnesses: A Rare but Inspiring Group

May 2024 · 4 minute read

Introduction

NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses are a minority in the league, but they have made their mark with their talent, dedication, and faith. Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination that originated in the 1870s and has over 100,000 congregations worldwide. They are known for their distinctive beliefs and practices, such as rejecting blood transfusions, celebrating the memorial of Christ’s death instead of holidays, and preaching door-to-door. In this article, we will look at three NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses and how their religion has influenced their careers and lives.

Danny Granger: The Star Witness

Danny Granger was one of the best scorers in the NBA during his prime. He played for the Indiana Pacers from 2005 to 2014 and averaged 18.1 points per game in his career. He was an All-Star in 2009 and led the league in three-pointers made in 2011. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before retiring in 2015.

Granger was raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but he did not get baptized until 2017, two years after his retirement. He said that he always believed in God, but he wanted to make sure he was ready to commit to his faith. He also said that being a Jehovah’s Witness helped him cope with the challenges and pressures of being an NBA player.

“I think it helped me a lot because it gave me a sense of purpose,” Granger said according to Sportskeeda. “It gave me a sense of direction. It gave me something to look forward to. It gave me something bigger than basketball.”

Darren Collison: The Faithful Retiree

Darren Collison was a solid point guard who played for six teams in his 10-year NBA live stream career. He was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in 2009 and had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 12.5 points and 5 assists per game in his career and shot 39.4% from the three-point range.

Collison surprised many fans when he announced his retirement in 2019 at the age of 31. He said that he wanted to focus on his family and his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. He said that he felt a higher calling to serve God and help others.

“While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith,” Collison said according to The Indian Express. “I am one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and my faith means everything to me.”

Collison briefly came back to the NBA in December 2021 and signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers, but he only played in three games before being released.

Dewayne Dedmon: The Late Bloomer

Dewayne Dedmon is a journeyman center who has played for eight teams in his nine-year NBA career. He is currently with the Miami Heat and has averaged 6.4 points and 6 rebounds per game in his career. He is known for his defense, rebounding, and shooting ability.

Dedmon’s story is remarkable because he did not start playing basketball until he was 18 years old. He was raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses and his mother forbade him from playing sports. He was also skinny and uncoached as a teenager. However, he grew to be 7 feet tall and worked hard to improve his skills. He played college basketball at USC and went undrafted in 2013. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors and began his NBA journey.

Dedmon said that being a Jehovah’s Witness helped him stay humble and grateful for his opportunities. He also said that he respects his mother’s wishes and does not celebrate holidays or birthdays.

“I don’t really need all that stuff,” Dedmon said according to FanSided. “I’m just happy to be here.”

Conclusion

NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses are a rare but inspiring group. They have shown their talent, dedication, and faith on and off the court. They have also faced challenges and pressures that come with being in the spotlight and being different from the majority. They have proven that being a Jehovah’s Witness does not stop them from being successful NBA players, but rather enhances their character and purpose.

ncG1vNJzZmikmZh6rrHRnJ%2BapqRjsLC5jpuss7Jfo6%2Biec%2BlmLKdoqh6uLTOZpirnV2fsqm71ZqfrGWnnsGvsdKsnKxlkWK%2For7EZpmurF2eu7S8yKugp59dnL%2Bwwc9o