Basketball’s a wild ride—dazzling dunks, roaring crowds, and larger-than-life stars. But behind the glitz, some players carry a quieter, deeply personal story: their faith. One question that keeps bubbling up is, how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? It’s not just about tallying names—it’s about diving into the lives of these athletes who’ve traded the hardwood for a higher calling. let’s unpack the journeys of former NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses, exploring how they balance fame, faith, and everything in between.
Why We’re Hooked on This Question
The curiosity around how many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses isn’t just about numbers. It’s about the clash of worlds: the high-stakes, adrenaline-pumping NBA versus the introspective, disciplined life of a Jehovah’s Witness. This Christian denomination, born in the late 1800s, is all about Bible study, door-to-door evangelism, and unique practices like refusing blood transfusions. For NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, the shift from sold-out stadiums to Kingdom Halls is a bold move that grabs our attention. Their stories as ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses show a side of sports we don’t often see—one rooted in purpose beyond the scoreboard.
How We Dug Into This
To answer how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, we scoured sports sites like Sportskeeda, Legit.ng, and ESPN, plus broader sources like Wikipedia, all tapped between 2023 and 2024. Faith can be a private matter, so pinning down an exact count of ex-NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses is tough. Some NBA players who became Jehovah’s Witnesses share their beliefs openly, while others keep it close to the chest, making our list a mix of confirmed names and educated guesses.
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The Players: Who Are the Ex-NBA Players That Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
So, how many former NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? The number varies by source—some say three, others up to 11—but a few names consistently pop up as NBA players who are Jehovah Witnesses. Let’s meet them:
- Danny Granger: A former Indiana Pacers standout, Granger grew up in a Jehovah’s Witness household but didn’t fully commit until later. In a 2017 interview, he shared how he was baptized two years after his final NBA season. From dropping buckets for the Pacers, Clippers, and Heat to embracing his faith, Granger’s story is one of rediscovering his roots as an ex-NBA player turned Jehovah’s Witness.
- Darren Collison: Collison shocked the basketball world in 2019, retiring at just 31 to focus on his faith and family. As an NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness, he told ESPN’s The Undefeated that his beliefs brought him a joy no contract could match. Walking away from millions, he dove into ministry and community work, proving he’s more than just an ex-NBA player who became a Jehovah’s Witness.
- Dewayne Dedmon: Raised by a devout Jehovah’s Witness mother who once banned him from hoops, Dedmon defied the odds to play for teams like the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. His faith, as noted in sports reports, keeps him grounded, making him a standout ex-NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness who balances spirituality with a 10-year career.
- Other Names: Sources like Legit.ng mention players like A.C. Green, Detlef Schrempf, and Reggie Theus as former NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses. A.C. Green, known for his ironman streak and strong Christian values, is often linked to the faith, though details are sparse. Estimates range from three (Sportskeeda, 2022) to 11 (Legit.ng, 2025), reflecting how private some ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses keep their beliefs.
Their Stories: From the Court to a Higher Purpose
Each NBA player turned Jehovah’s Witness has a unique tale, blending grit, transformation, and purpose:
- Danny Granger: As Sportskeeda notes, Granger was a scoring machine for the Pacers, earning All-Star honors in 2009. But after injuries slowed him down, he turned to his faith, getting baptized in 2017. He told the Indianapolis Star in 2008 that his Jehovah’s Witness beliefs gave him “a great sense of serenity” on the court. For this ex-NBA player who is now a Jehovah’s Witness, faith became a legacy bigger than basketball.
- Darren Collison: Collison’s 2019 retirement, covered by ESPN, was a gut-punch to fans. He left behind a solid career with the Lakers, Mavericks, and Pacers to prioritize his faith. In his words to The Undefeated, volunteering and ministry brought a joy that outshone any buzzer-beater. His brief 2021 return to the NBA only highlighted his commitment as an ex-NBA player that became a Jehovah’s Witness.
- Dewayne Dedmon: Legit.ng tells Dedmon’s story of defiance. His mother’s strict Jehovah’s Witness beliefs kept him from basketball until he was 18, yet he built a decade-long NBA career. His faith, he told Business Insider, helped him stay composed through life’s ups and downs, marking him as a resilient ex-NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness.
The Bigger Picture: Faith, Culture, and Impact
The journey from NBA stardom to life as a Jehovah’s Witness speaks to deeper themes—redefining success, finding humility, and chasing meaning. These ex-NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses challenge the idea that fame is the ultimate goal. Their faith, rooted in service and simplicity, offers a counterpoint to the flash of sports culture. Fans love these stories because they show how NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses can inspire beyond the game, living values that hit home for anyone seeking purpose.
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The Balancing Act: Fame Meets Faith
Being an NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness isn’t easy. Practices like door-to-door evangelism or refusing certain medical treatments, as noted on Wikipedia, can clash with the NBA’s relentless pace. Some, like Granger and Collison, are vocal about their beliefs, but others stay private, making it hard to say how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Respecting that privacy is key in a faith that values personal conviction over public display.
Their Lasting Legacy
The impact of these ex-NBA players who are Jehovah Witnesses goes beyond their stat lines. Collison’s community work, Granger’s mental health advocacy, and Dedmon’s perseverance show how faith shapes life after basketball. They’re not chasing highlights anymore but a different kind of legacy—one of service and spirituality, as sources like Sportskeeda and Legit.ng highlight.
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FAQ
1. How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Hard to say exactly, but sources like Sportskeeda (2022) and Legit.ng (2025) suggest 3 to 11. Some ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses stay private, so the number’s a bit fuzzy.
2. What NBA players have become Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Names like Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Dewayne Dedmon, and possibly A.C. Green, Michael Adams, or Mark Jackson come up. These NBA players who became Jehovah’s Witnesses embraced the faith either during or after their careers.
3. Are there former basketball players now living as Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Yeah, definitely. Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Dewayne Dedmon, and maybe A.C. Green are former NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses, living out their faith through ministry or service.
4. Which ex-NBA players joined Jehovah’s Witnesses after retirement?
Danny Granger (baptized 2017), Darren Collison (retired 2019 for faith), Michael Adams, and Mark Acre joined after their careers. They’re known as ex-NBA players who became Jehovah’s Witnesses post-retirement.
5. Do current NBA players follow the Jehovah’s Witness faith?
As of August 6, 2025, no confirmed current NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Most known cases, like Collison or Dedmon, are ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
6. Why are so many people curious about Jehovah’s Witness athletes?
It’s the contrast that grabs folks—NBA’s glitz versus the humble, disciplined life of NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Their unique paths spark a lot of curiosity.
7. Has being a Jehovah’s Witness affected any player’s career?
Sure has. Darren Collison retired early in 2019 to focus on his faith. Dewayne Dedmon’s mom once banned basketball due to Jehovah’s Witness beliefs, which shaped his journey as an NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness.
8. Is there a known list of NBA Jehovah’s Witness players?
No official list because of privacy, but NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses include Danny Granger, Darren Collison, Dewayne Dedmon, and possibly A.C. Green, Mark Jackson, or Michael Adams.
9. Why do some athletes turn to religion after fame?
A lot of ex-NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses look for deeper meaning after the spotlight. The faith’s focus on service and community gives them purpose beyond the game.
Wrapping It Up
So, how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? The number’s fuzzy—anywhere from 3 to 11, depending on who you ask—but the stories are what matter. Ex-NBA players like Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon show us what it means to trade slam dunks for spiritual growth, fame for faith. Their journeys as NBA players who became Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to spark curiosity, offering a window into the powerful mix of sports, identity, and belief.