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USC basketball player Dewayne Dedmon attempts a free throw in a game vs. rival UCLA photo by James Santelli, –

3 Basketball Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses: Here Are Their Stories

Basketball players have never been afraid to publicly express their religious and philosophical views. Numerous players have been seen praying and offering thanks on the court, including Stephen Curry, who has had Bible verses written on his shoes. Jehovah’s Witnesses are included among the numerous denominations that span the entire roaster. A Religious sect called Jehovah’s Witnesses is well recognized for adhering strictly to its doctrine and customs. Basketball players in particular haven’t been afraid to embrace the religion, and doing so goes hand in hand with adhering to the various precepts that are linked with the religion.

The principles of Jehovah’s Witnesses have influenced these athletes’ lives as seen by the way they conduct themselves and by the fact that their professional choices set them apart from the majority of people. These players’ decision not to have premarital sex is an illustration of how the principles of the denomination have impacted them. The players preserve their virginity and chastity throughout their playing careers, and they give the denomination credit for helping them find the strength to resist temptation.

These basketball players joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses because of the religion’s strong feeling of community and its commitment to its adherents. Basketball players want to be a part of something that fosters a sense of connection and belonging, which is very important for athletes who spend the majority of their time away from their families and communities. One aspect of religion that jumps out to athletes who want to become better people outside of their sporting careers is the emphasis it places on honesty, integrity, and personal responsibility. 

The fact that the denomination has established a support structure to aid them in their difficulties lessens the scrutiny to perform and pressure to maintain their performance-level standards. In the fast-paced, high-stakes world of professional sports, many players find it extremely difficult to acquire a sense of foundation and guidance. Yet, by embracing the denomination, they do.

Basketball players have also been impacted by Jehovah’s Witnesses in terms of their professional decisions. The athletes attribute their ability to persist under the demands and difficulties of being professional basketball players to their faith. According to these players, their faith has also helped keep them focused on the court. It is only a matter of time before billions more people across several sports embrace the denomination as it continues to expand, its impact is spreading, and more players are responding to it. With more players embracing the denomination basketball has had its fair share of members in Jehovah’s Witnesses. Let us find out more about these Jehovah’s Witnesses basketball players. 

 1. Darren Collison

Darren Collison with the Los Angeles Clippers photo by Verse Photography –

Professional basketball player Darren Collison is a free agent who played for the UCLA Bruins for four seasons of collegiate basketball. In addition to winning the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Trophy his senior year as the best college player standing 6 feet 0 inches or below, he was named to the All-Pac-10 league three times.

The New Orleans Hornets selected him with the 21st overall pick in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft. Collison also had stints with the Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, and Los Angeles Lakers. Collison opted to retire at the age of 31, citing the necessity to prioritize his family and his faith as his justification.

Being a Jehovah’s Witness member, he decided to hang up his boots. However, he made a comeback in 2021 when he signed a 10-day contract with the LA Lakers. When his contract expired, he had only played three games and the Lakers did not resign him for a new contract.

Also, Read 15 Cool Facts Basketball.

2. Danny Granger 

Danny Granger during his rookie season with the Indiana Pacers photo by Willie Stark –

Former NBA player Danny Granger played ten seasons of professional basketball for the National Basketball Association. He spent two years in college in New Mexico before being selected by the Indiana Pacers in the 2005 NBA Draft. Granger averaged 26 points per game in 2009 while shooting 45 per cent from the field, earning him the titles of Most Improved Player in the League and All-Star.

He only played in five games during the 2012–13 season due to a left knee injury, and in February 2014, he was dealt to the Philadelphia 76ers. He later played for the Miami Heat and Los Angeles Clippers before spending a brief time with the Phoenix Suns and Detroit Pistons in 2015. He retired in 2015 and found solace in the bible subsequently getting baptized in 2017 as a Jehovah’s Witness. This comes as no surprise given that he was raised in a religious household by Jehovah’s Witnesses.

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3. Dewayne Dedmon

USC basketball player Dewayne Dedmon attempts a free throw in a game vs. rival UCLA photo by James Santelli –

Dewayne Dedmon plays centre for the Philadelphia 76ers of the NBA. During his time in college, he competed for both USC and Antelope Valley College where he was a standout player. Despite being undrafted in the 2013 NBA draft, Dedmon played in the Orlando Summer League with the Miami Heat and the Las Vegas Summer League with the Dallas Mavericks.

He signed with the Golden State Warriors on 23 September 2013. His story is quite surprising given that his mother is a staunch Jehovah’s Witnesses and detested him to play basketball from a young age. Young Dedmon however trained and was able to pursue his career successfully.

Given the above-listed players were standouts during their playing, basketball has seen its fair share of Jehovah’s Witnesses most of them who have long retired from actively playing. Giving some honourable mentions to players who were also Jehovah’s Witnesses or found faith in the denomination after they retired include; Dave Meyers and Willie Wise.

Related: 10 Famous Basketball Players who played for UNC.