Now, you might wonder, which NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? Well, let me tell ya, there’s a few of ’em, both still playin’ in the league and some that have hung up their shoes. If you don’t know what a Jehovah’s Witness is, it’s a Christian faith, and those who follow it live by strict religious beliefs and practices. They don’t celebrate holidays like Christmas or birthdays, and they don’t get involved in military service or politics. Now, let’s take a look at some of these NBA players who follow this faith.
One fella that comes to mind right away is Dewayne Dedmon. He’s still playin’ with the Miami Heat as of now. Now, I know he’s not the biggest name in the game, but he’s a solid player who does his job well. He’s one of those big guys who’s always ready to grab a rebound or block a shot. But what makes him stand out is that he’s a Jehovah’s Witness, just like a couple of other fellas we’ll get to.
Then there’s Darren Collison, a point guard who played in the NBA for a good while. He’s one of them fellas who played for a number of teams, like the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and even the LA Clippers. Darren decided to hang up his sneakers back in 2019, at the young age of 31. Why’d he do that? Well, he felt like it was time to focus more on his faith. He got deeper into the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses, and basketball just didn’t fit in with his new priorities. Now, that’s somethin’ ain’t it? Not many folks would give up an NBA career to follow a faith, but Darren Collison did.
Now, if you remember the old days of the Indiana Pacers, you might recall Danny Granger. He was one of their top players back in the day, known for his smooth jump shot and ability to score big points. Granger played nine seasons with the Pacers before injuries slowed him down. But besides basketball, he’s also a Jehovah’s Witness, and like Collison, he’s chosen to focus more on his religious beliefs than on the game. He was a top scorer back in his prime, but now, he’s focusing on other things in life.
And I can’t forget about Dave Meyers, though he’s from a bit earlier in NBA history. Dave was drafted by the LA Lakers back in 1975, but he played most of his career with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was a second-round pick, and even though his career wasn’t as long as some of the big names, he still made his mark. What’s important here is that Dave Meyers also followed the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Back in the day, it was a little more uncommon for NBA players to be open about their faith, but Dave was one of the trailblazers in that respect.
So, what’s the deal with all these players and their faith? Well, being a Jehovah’s Witness in the NBA isn’t always easy. You gotta keep a certain standard of living, stay away from the big party scene, and just live your life a bit differently from the average pro player. But these guys stuck to their beliefs, and that’s somethin’ to admire. A lotta folks would’ve let the fame and money change ’em, but not these fellas. They kept their faith strong, even in the big spotlight of the NBA.
Now, if you’re askin’ if there are any current NBA players who follow the faith, we got Dewayne Dedmon, and maybe there’s a few others out there, but these are the main ones that have made their faith known to the public. You might see other players from time to time talkin’ about their faith, but they might not be as open about it as these guys.
In the end, it’s all about what’s important to ya in life. Some folks live for the game, some folks live for their faith, and some try to balance both. These NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses show us that you can stay true to your beliefs no matter where you are, even if that’s in the high-pressure world of professional basketball. So, the next time you watch a game, just remember: you might be watchin’ a player who’s not just playin’ for the win, but also livin’ by a higher purpose.
Tags：[NBA players, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Dewayne Dedmon, Darren Collison, Danny Granger, Dave Meyers, NBA faith, basketball players’ beliefs, Jehovah’s Witness, NBA careers]
