Several NBA players, past and present, are known to be Jehovah's Witnesses, including both active and former players. The most commonly cited NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses are:
- Darren Collison : Played from 2009 to 2019, including four years with the Indiana Pacers and three with the Sacramento Kings. He retired early to focus on his faith and family, citing his Jehovah's Witness beliefs as a major reason for his retirement
- Danny Granger : Spent nine seasons mainly with the Indiana Pacers and was an NBA All-Star in 2009. Raised in a Jehovah's Witness household, he was baptized in 2017, two years after retiring from the NBA
- Dewayne Dedmon : A 7-foot center who entered the NBA in 2013. Raised by Jehovah's Witnesses, his mother initially forbade him from playing basketball due to their religious beliefs. Despite this, he pursued basketball and had a successful NBA career with multiple teams
Other former NBA players who have been identified as Jehovah's Witnesses include:
- Detlef Schrempf : Played in the 1980s and 1990s, openly professed his faith and joined the church in the 1990s
- Reggie Theus : Former player and coach, joined the church in the 1990s
- Michael Adams : Played in the mid-1990s, became a devoted Jehovah's Witness after retirement
- Greg Ostertag : Played mainly for the Utah Jazz, became a Jehovah's Witness during his career and remained steadfast in his faith until retirement in 2006
In total, there are over 10 NBA players who have followed the Jehovah's Witness faith, though the most prominently mentioned are Collison, Granger, and Dedmon
Summary
Player| NBA Career Highlights| Jehovah's Witness Status
---|---|---
Darren Collison| 2009–2019, Pacers, Kings| Raised in faith, retired early for
faith
Danny Granger| 9 seasons, All-Star 2009, Pacers| Raised in faith, baptized
post-retirement
Dewayne Dedmon| Entered NBA 2013, multiple teams| Raised in faith, mother
initially forbade basketball
Detlef Schrempf| 1980s-1990s, Pacers, Sonics, Trail Blazers| Joined in 1990s,
openly professed faith
Reggie Theus| Former player and coach| Joined in 1990s
Michael Adams| Mid-1990s, Nuggets, Bullets| Joined late 1990s, devoted after
retirement
Greg Ostertag| Utah Jazz mainstay, retired 2006| Became Jehovah's Witness
during career
These players have publicly acknowledged their faith to varying degrees, with some retiring early or balancing their careers with their religious commitments
