Learning that some NBA players are part of the Jehovah’s Witness faith deeply fascinated me. I did intensive research on Jehovah’s Witness NBA players and compiled a robust list of them all.
I thought it wise to write an article for anyone else out there who would like to know how many Jehovah’s Witnesses are in the NBA.
Currently, the only known active NBA player from the Jehovah’s Witness denomination is Dewayne Dedmon. There have been, however, several former players, including Danny Granger, Michael Adams, and Darren Collinson.
If you are ready to learn about Jehovah’s Witnesses who are either in active play or retired, as well as how their faith has impacted their lives, keep reading.
How many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witness believers?
Currently, there is only one known NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness believer – Dewayne Dedmon. He has played for several NBA teams since 2013, including the Sacramento Kings, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat.
He explains that his faith in the Jehovah’s Witness denomination helped him overcome obstacles in his career and life.
For instance, Dewayne’s mother, a Jehovah’s Witness, did not want him to participate in sports, but his faith led him to start his career.
How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witness?
There are around nine known ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Let’s learn more about them:
A.C. Green – A.C. Green is an American basketballer nicknamed ‘Iron Man’ for his stellar performance during his time in the NBA. He played for the association from 1985 until his retirement in 2001.
During this time, A.C. was a committed Jehovah’s Witness. To date, he still advocates for his faith, abstinence, and healthy habits.
Danny Granger – the 40-year-old former NBA player played for the association from 2005 until 2015 when he retired. He has stated in interviews that he was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household, and accredits his faith for his successful basketball career.
Darren Collinson – Darren played as a professional point guard in the NBA for ten years between 2009 and 2019 for the Sacramento Kings, the LA Lakers, and the Indiana Pacers.
According to him, his upbringing in the Jehovah’s Witness faith shaped his life profoundly. He eventually left professional basketball and decided to focus on his faith and family.
According to Darren, he also wanted to get into more philanthropic work.
Detlef Schrempf – Detlef is a seasoned basketball player with roots in the Jehovah’s Witness church. Although he was not born into the denomination, Detlef has stated that ever since he learned about it in the 1990s, he found the place where he belonged.
Aside from these ex-NBA players, other prominent Jehovah’s Witnesses include Reggie Theus, Michael Adams, Wayman Tisdale, Dave Meyers, and Mark Jackson.
Of the mentioned, Michael Adams and Wayman Tisdale left active basketball to pursue their religious lives.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.