Religion has always been an important part of human life, influencing people in numerous fields, including sports. Basketball, one of the most popular sports in the world, has seen many exceptional players ascend to fame and money. Aside from their on-court accomplishments, these athletes have complicated lives outside the limelight, including religious affirmations. So how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses?
Jehovah's Witnesses are a religious denomination that believes in establishing God's Kingdom to end all human suffering and traces its roots back to the 1870s. They are also renowned for the nontrinitarian beliefs that set them apart from other Christian denominations.
It is among the most stringent religious sect worldwide, from prohibitions on undergoing surgery to refraining from receiving blood transfusions. The sect commands a following of nearly 1.8 million faithful globally.
How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses?
The NBA is renowned for its incredible athleticism and A-list teams fielding star-studded players across diverse religious backgrounds. How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? Here are some of the notable ex-NBA Jehovah's Witnesses players, according to Sports Keeda:
1. Darren Collison
- Full Name: Darren Michael Collison
- Date of birth: 23rd August 1987
- Age: 35 years old as (2023)
- Place of birth: Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S
- Team: Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers & Lakers, Sacramento Kings
Are there any Jehovah Witnesses in the NBA? Yes, Darren Collison is the first on the list of ex-NBA players who turned into Jehovah's Witnesses. The former point guard played in the NBA for a ten-year stint between 2009 to 2019 before announcing his retirement.
Dareen played for teams such as the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Hornets, and Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged a record 11.2 points and six assists per game with the Indiana Pacers.
He retired at age 31 and devoted his life to his Jehovah's Witness faith. However, in 2021 he made a short stint return to the NBA after signing a 10-day contract with the Lakers that saw him feature in three games. In 2022, he signed with the South Bay Lakers and still plays in the NBA.
2. Danny Granger
- Full Name: Danny Granger
- Date of birth: 20th April 1983
- Age: 40 years old as of (2023)
- Place of birth: New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S
- Team: Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heats
Danny Granger is among the notable ex-NBA players who became Jehovah's Witnesses. The Indiana Pacers drafted the former small forward-guard into the NBA, where he played for nine seasons.
In 2009, he recorded an average of 26 points on 45 per cent shooting per game. The fete earned him an honourable mention in the All-Stars Most Improved Player. Granger also plied his trade for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat.
Granger Jehovah Witnesses' faith stems from his childhood upbringing where he was raised in a religious household with parents adhering to the denomination. After retiring from the NBA, Granger would only be full-fledged to practise religious domination after his baptism in 2017.
Danny Granger's cousin Keith became a mythical urban legend among NBA fans in 2022 after comedian Brittany Schmitt dropped the name in a sexual threesome joke dragging the superstar athlete in 2022.
3. Dewayne Dedmon
- Full Name: Dewayne Jamal Dedmon
- Date of birth: 12th August 1989
- Age: 33 years old as of (2023)
- Place of birth: Lancaster, California, U.S
- Team: Golden State Warriors, Santa Cruz Warriors
Dewayne Dedmon's childhood was marred with tragedy when his father, Thomas Dedmon, took his own life while he was just three years old. His mother, Gail Lewis, was left to care for the young Dedmon alongside his two sisters, Sabrina and Marina.
Gail is a devoted Jehovah's Witness and raised her children per the religion's teachings. What ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? Dewayne Dedmon is among the list of NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses.
Dewayne almost did not make a name for himself in the NBA, as his mother did not want him to be an NBA player due to their Jehovah's Witness faith. Cutting a skinny seven-foot figure, Dewayne was too skinny and uncoached, a situation exerted by his religious upbringing.
He got into the NBA through Golden State Warriors after playing summer leagues for Miami Heat and Dallas Mavericks, utilised as a centre through dedication and hard work. He averaged 6.5 points per game and a 2.0 bounce progression in 21 games in the 2010 season.
4. Dave Meyers
- Full Name: Dave Meyers
- Date of birth: 21st April 1953
- Place of birth: San Diego, California, U.S
- Team: Milwaukee Bucks, Los Angeles Lakers
Dave Meyers cutting a 6'8 foot Meyers was named in the All-American NBA draft after winning two national titles. The triumph led him to be drafted into Los Angeles Lakers NBA team in 1975 as a second overall pick.
A forward Meyers plied his trade with the Milwaukee Bucks for four consecutive seasons. He was eventually traded to the Milwaukee Bucks after 19 days to his new home, where he plied five seasons recording a career-high 14.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 1978.
Meyers made a surprising move in 1980 with an announcement to suddenly retire from basketball after playing for over five seasons. A devoted Jehovah's Witness, Meyers cited retirement as allowing him to spend more time with his family and practise his Jehovah's Witness faith.
Meyers had once refused to undergo surgery after suffering a severe back injury terming it as against his Jehovah principles. Meyers battled cancer later in his life, and in 2015 Meyes eventually succumbed to the disease.
How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? - Wrapping up
The NBA league attracts players across various sexualities, races and even religions. How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? Three players are currently in this denomination after Dave Meyers died in 2015. The number might be increasing to accommodate those who convert later after their professional careers.
Tuko.co.ke shared an article about NBA players with dreads, ranked by popularity. NBA is the second most popular sport in the United States. Players use this publicity to promote their personal or business brands.
Recently, there has been an emergence of stars with dreadlocks. The league has seen many dreadlocked players, from Pervis Ellison, the league's first-round pick in 1989, to Jimmy Butler, the league's first-round pick in 2011.
