How Many Former NBA Players Are Jehovah's Witnesses?

By Edcel Panganiban June 12, 2024 03:35

Religion in sports has long been an interesting subject to chat about.

The Jehovah's Witness faith has been well represented in the professional basketball world over the years.

Streams of abiding faith can be seen flowing in the lives of former NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses, and this article goes deep into this interesting niche to cover their stories which tell much about how their beliefs have helped and continue to help them win both on and.

A detailed exploration of Jehovah Witnesses in the NBA

Jehovah's Witnesses are certainly a unique Christian denomination with beliefs that separate them from other Christian groups.

They stress the single God, Jehovah and disagree with doctrinal beliefs such as the Trinity as well as most major religious sects today and the belief that Jesus Christ is God in thickness.

NBA players who became Jehovah's Witnesses

1. Dave Meyers

The next year, Lakers draftee Dave Meyers opted to sign with the Bucks, and the following year (1976) he retired in order to practice his Jehovah's Witness faith more. ARCHIVED FROM Basketball Reference.

2. Danny Granger

Danny Granger, who had retired from the NBA, is pictured in 2014 when he was playing for the Indiana Pacers. Granger was baptized in 2017 after retiring from the NBA. The faith of his childhood was Jehovah's Witness.

3. Darren Collison

Darren Collison, a guard who played for multiple NBA teams and retired at the in 2019 at age 31 to focus on his faith and his family.

4. A.C. Green

A.C. Green carried his virginity all the way to 2002, a year after he had retired having won three NBA championship rings with Showtime Lakers, and he supposedly only lost it then because he was being that zealous in practicing his faith.

5. Detlef Schrempf

In the 90s, German American player Detlef Schrempf also switched to the Jehovah's Witness faith while playing for their faith Pacers, Sonics, and Blazers and has lived a devoted life since then to his faith.

6. Reggie Theus

In the 90s, Reggie Theus, along with being a player and coach, accepted the faith and united basketball with his spiritual beliefs.

7. Michael Adams

Nuggets legend Michael Adams converted to the Jehovah's Witness faith after his basketball career came to an end, and dedicated the remainder of his life to his faith and his family.

8. Mark Jackson

Jackson, who converted to Christianity during his years as a player and coach, was raised a Jehovah's Witness.

Religion and its Effect on Their Lives

Because the accounts of these NBA ex-players who are Jehovah's Witnesses are indicative of a tremendous devotion to their belief and its positive influence on the course of their lives.

Throughout their personal and professional paths in the NBA, they've been devoted to their religious beliefs, providing a glimpse of the various crossroads of religion and sports within the league.

Their stories give a different perspective into the sport-religion intersection and the role of faith in the life of athletes.

Years later, the fact that people of all different faiths are still present in the NBA is a testament to the diversity and experiences of players in the league.