Have you ever wondered how many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? As the world’s leading professional basketball league, the National Basketball Association (NBA) has produced some of the greatest athletes of all time.
However, in recent years, more and more players have been professing their faith as Jahovah’s Witnesses, a religion that originated in the 19th century. In this article, we will explore the history of Jahovah’s Witnesses and discuss some of the NBA’s most prominent players who follow this faith. We will also look at how these players have made an impact on basketball and beyond as representatives of their faith.
History of Jahovah’s Witnesses
Jahovah’s Witnesses have their roots in the 19th century. In 1879, Charles Taze Russell organized a Bible study group in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania which marked the beginning of the religion. Jahovah’s Witnesses believe in one God and that Jesus was his son and savior. They also believe that there will be an imminent end of this world and the establishment of a kingdom of God on earth. The religion has several practices such as door-to-door preaching, baptism, abstention from military service, and refraining from participating in politics or sports activities.
The Church has always had a complicated relationship with the world. While they accept certain aspects of modern life such as technology and science, they reject other elements such as nationalism, secularism, materialism, competition in sports and political involvement. This stance has led to some criticism from those who view them as too conservative or insular. However, despite these criticisms, there are still many Jahovah’s Witnesses who participate in professional sports such as basketball.
Which NBA Players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon is one of the most prominent players who follow the faith of Jahovah’s Witnesses in the NBA. He initially was not allowed to play organized basketball due to his mother’s religious beliefs, but decided to pursue a career in professional basketball when he turned 18. Dedmon has played 10 seasons for 7 teams, and has averaged 6.4 points and 5.8 rebounds in 507 regular-season games.
His impressive size (7 feet tall and 245 pounds) has made him a dominating force on the court, as seen by his being drafted by the Golden State Warriors and playing basketball for various other teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia 76ers and Sacramento Kings. As a representative of his faith in basketball, Dedmon has had an impact not just on the court, but beyond it too.
Danny Granger
Granger was raised in a Jehovah’s Witnesses household. In his ten year career in the NBA, Danny Granger was a standout player. He was selected to the All-Star team in 2009 and won the Most Improved Player award that same year.
His career averages of 17 points per game on 42 percent shooting show how reliable he was as an offensive weapon for his teams. Although he is no longer playing professionally, Granger’s legacy lives on through his mentorship of younger players and his commitment to giving back to communities in need.
Darren Collison
Darren Collison is one of the most prominent NBA players who is a Jahovah’s Witness. After being drafted by the New Orleans Hornets in 2009, he went on to play for the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers.
He earned All-Pac-10 conference honors three times during his college career at UCLA and even won the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award his senior year as the top college player standing 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) or under. On June 28th 2019, Collison announced his retirement from the NBA citing religious reasons as he is a Jehovah’s Witness. Later in 2020 he returned to play for both The Lakers and later for the South Bay Lakers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are a growing number of NBA players who identify as Jahovah’s Witnesses. While the Church has a complicated relationship with the world and its practices have been controversial in some circles, these players have used their platform to represent their faith and make an impact on basketball and beyond. Dewayne Dedmon, Danny Granger, and Darren Collison are just a few examples of athletes who follow this faith. Through their efforts, they have shown that it is possible to be successful on the court while staying true to one’s beliefs.
