3 NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses: Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and more
Several NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses. The most prestigious basketball league in the world is very diverse and has players of different nationalities, races, religions, and even sexualities.
Jehovah's Witnesses are a Christian denomination that first originated in the 1870s. In 2022, it has over 100,000 congregations and many of its members are world-famous athletes.
Throughout its history, members of the NBA have belonged to this denomination and one player has even retired to focus on his health. This article will look at three NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses.
#1 Darren Collison
Darren Collison played in the NBA from 2009 until 2019. He spent four years with the Indiana Pacers and three years in Sacramento. The point guard also played for Dallas, New Orleans, and both Los Angeles teams.
In 2019, the guard decided to retire and focus on his faith. He made this decision at 31 years of age after coming off a season in which he averaged 11.2 points and 6 assists per game with the Pacers.
"While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith," Collison announced before retiring.
The point guard returned to the NBA and signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers in December 2021. He appeared in only three games and the Lakers let him go after his contract expired.
#2 Danny Granger
Another player who played for the Indiana Pacers and is a Jehovah's Witness is Danny Granger.
Granger spent nine seasons with the Pacers and was one of the best scorers on the team. After Indiana, the forward played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat. Unfortunately for him, he could not win a championship.
Granger was raised in a religious household by Jehovah's Witnesses, but wasn't baptized until 2017, two years after his final season in the NBA.
#3 Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon is one of the best role players in the NBA. However, the 7-foot center may not have been in the NBA if he had followed his mother's advice. Dedmon was raised in a household by Jehovah's Witnesses and his mother forbade him from playing basketball.
As a teenager, he was skinny and due to his family's religion, he wasn't coached. However, he put in the work and was eventually picked up by the NBA.
Dedmon hasn't won a championship yet and is entering the final stages of his career. His story is very inspiring and proof that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.