The National Basketball Association (NBA) has always been a melting pot of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Among these, a few former NBA players have been known to follow the Jehovah’s Witness denomination, a path that has at times influenced their careers and life decisions.
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How Many Ex-NBA Players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Three notable former NBA players are identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses: Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon. Each of these athletes embraced this faith during or after their time in the NBA, showcasing the varied perspectives within the league.
Danny Granger: Faith and Basketball
Danny Granger, who played for the Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, and Los Angeles Clippers, grew up in a spiritual environment as a Jehovah’s Witness. Despite his successful career, Granger chose to deepen his commitment to his faith, undergoing baptism in 2017, two years after retiring from professional basketball.
Darren Collison: Prioritizing Beliefs Over the Court
Darren Collison, a former player for teams like the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings, made a significant decision in 2019 to retire at the age of 31. His choice to leave the NBA was driven by a desire to focus more on his family and Jehovah’s Witness faith. He briefly returned to the NBA in 2021 but remained steadfast in his religious commitments.
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Dewayne Dedmon: Overcoming Challenges
Dewayne Dedmon’s journey to the NBA was marked by the challenge of aligning his career with his religious upbringing. Raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household, Dedmon was discouraged from playing sports, including basketball. Despite this, he persevered and carved out a successful career in the NBA, while maintaining his faith.
The Influence of Faith in the NBA
The paths of these players highlight how faith can play a significant role in the lives of professional athletes. Whether it’s influencing retirement decisions or shaping personal and professional journeys, religion remains a potent force in the diverse world of the NBA.
In Conclusion
The presence of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the NBA, although limited in number, emphasizes the broad spectrum of beliefs and backgrounds represented in the league. It underscores how professional sports can intersect with personal faith, leading to unique stories like those of Granger, Collison, and Dedmon.
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FAQs About How many Ex NBA Players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
- Who are the ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses? Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon are known to have identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses.
- Why did Darren Collison retire from the NBA? Collison retired in 2019 to focus on his faith and family as a Jehovah’s Witness.
- When did Danny Granger become a baptized Jehovah’s Witness? Granger was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in 2017, after retiring from the NBA.
- How did Dewayne Dedmon’s faith affect his NBA career? Despite being raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household where sports were discouraged, Dedmon pursued a successful NBA career.
- Does being a Jehovah’s Witness impact an NBA player’s career? It can, as seen with Collison’s retirement for religious reasons, but the impact varies among individuals.
