If you followed the NBA (The National Basketball Association) then you know it is culturally and religiously diverse. In NBA some basketball players are Jehovah’s Witnesses but they didn’t spread their religion to other players. If you want to know how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, then read this article to know about them and their beliefs.
What Is Jehovah’s Witness?
Before knowing the answer how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses you need to understand this cult/religion. A Christian religious group in the United States sect rooted in the Adventist movement in the late 1800s. The Jehovah in Jehovah’s Witness is a synonym for GOD. In this religious group, the followers worship Jehovah rather than Jesus.
In this community of Jehovah, they believed that the “Holy Spirit” is a force, not a person. 240 countries with over 8 million members Jehovah’s Witness is a big religious community.
However, teh followers have to face victimization and abusive behavior in several countries because they are very peace-minded. So, when it comes to serving in the military or a force they refuse to join. Also, they have to face public mocking and ragging because of their door-to-door spreading of words about their religion and community.
How Many Ex NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Now you understand what is the Jehovah’s Witnesses, In NBA some Basketball players are also associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses community. There are three former NBA players who are associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. So, let’s check out who are they…
1. Danny Granger
On 20 April 1983 in New Orleans, Danny Granger was born. He is a former NBA player, he started his NBA career from 2005 until 2015. This former American basketball player played for the Pacers, Clippers, and Heat for 10 seasons in the NBA.
Danny Granger was selected to play in the 1 All-Star game. There he earned the title of Most Improved Player. But in 2015 this Jehovah’s Witness ex NBA player retired from the NBA.
As he was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household, he often tells about how his faith in Jehovah’s Witness helped him to lead his life and career.
Current Status | N/A (Ex-NBA player) |
Age | 40 years old |
Height | 206 cm |
Weight | 101 kg |
Agent | Aaron Mintz |
Draft Entry | NBA Draft 2005 |
2. Darren Collison
Darren Collison was an ex-NBA player who was also involved with Jehovah’s Witnesses. On 23 August 1987, Dareen Collison was born in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He started his basketball career, from his college basketball team where he played for the UCLA Bruins.
In his 11 years of career history, he played for six different NBA teams. He earned 4th in the NBA Rookie of the Year award. At the age of 31, in June 2019, Collison retired from the NBA. After his retirement, he started contributing and opened a charity for Jehovah’s Witnesses religion because he was raised in a Jehovah’s Witnesses family.
Current Status | N/A (Ex-NBA player) |
Age | 36 years old |
Height | 183 cm |
Weight | 79 kg |
Agent | Bill Duffy |
Draft Entry | NBA Draft 2009 |
3. Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon was born in 1989 August 12, in a Jehovah’s Witness family. He was a professional American basketball player. Dewayne Dedmon called himself “The Mechanic”.
He started his basketball career, from his college basketball at Antelope Valley and USC. He played mostly for the Sacramento Kings team. In February 2023 he signed up for the 76ers’s contract which gave him $835,014. He still plays as a free player in the NBA.
Current Status | Unrestricted Free Agent |
Age | 34 years old |
Height | 208 cm |
Weight | 111 kg |
Agent | Mike Silverman |
Draft Entry | NBA 2013 |
Practices And Beliefs Of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Now you know your answer to how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses, quarry. But what about their beliefs or practices? So, let me tell you that in this religious community, they are the same as the Christian religion. But they believe that Jesus Christ’s real father is Jehovah.
However, they refuse to believe that God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit (Trinity) are one. They believe that the Holy Spirit is a different entity. It is not an aspect of GOD it is the power of God with its own will.
Several Christians disagree with their beliefs because they argue that Jesus Christ was not nailed. Christ was killed at a stake. They also, disagree with the meaning of death, according to them, death is a sacrifice to purify the sins from this world and it originated the sins of Adam and Eve.
Conclusion: Has Their Religion Had Any Effect On Their Sportsmanship?
In the end, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are very peaceful and non-violent groups. They refuse to serve in any military, warfare, or any violent act. So, being a Jehovah’s Witness NBA players are acted normally like all other basketball players and they are now very successful in their career as well as their life.
Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon have always felt that religious judgment and beliefs come first. These three basketball players overcame the obstacles, created by their religious convictions and succeeded in their careers. Now you have learned all about how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses. If you have any questions regarding to this topic then ask me in the comment section.
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