The Ultimate List: 3 Major NBA Players Who Are Jehovah's Witnesses And How Their Faith Changed Their Careers

The intersection of professional sports and deep religious conviction is always a compelling story, and few faiths present a more unique challenge to the high-demand lifestyle of the NBA than that of Jehovah's Witnesses. As of late 2025, the most notable figures who have publicly connected their lives to this faith—a religion known for its emphasis on ministry work and political neutrality—are a select group of current and former players whose choices have reshaped their careers, with one even walking away from millions of dollars at his peak.

This article dives deep into the personal journeys of the most prominent NBA players who are Jehovah's Witnesses, exploring how their spiritual commitments clashed with the rigorous demands of the league schedule, the intense competitive environment, and the cultural expectations of being a professional athlete.

The NBA's Most Prominent Jehovah's Witnesses: A Player-by-Player Profile

The list of players who have openly identified as Jehovah's Witnesses is short but impactful. Their stories highlight the profound personal sacrifices and life-altering decisions made when a spiritual calling supersedes a lucrative athletic career. Here are the most well-known examples:

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1. Darren Collison: The Shocking Retirement for Ministry

Darren Collison's story remains the most dramatic and widely reported case of faith influencing an NBA career. A talented point guard who played for teams like the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings, Collison was a solid starter in the league. His decision in the summer of 2019 sent shockwaves through the basketball world.

• Full Name: Darren Michael Collison
• Born: August 23, 1987 (Rancho Cucamonga, California)
• Position: Point Guard
• NBA Career: 2009–2019 (New Orleans, Indiana, Dallas, Sacramento, Los Angeles Clippers)
• Faith Impact: Retired at age 31, foregoing a potential $10 million contract, to dedicate his life to his faith and ministry work.

At the height of his career, Collison announced his retirement via a statement, saying, "While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith. I am one of the Jehovah's Witnesses, and my faith means everything to me." His decision underscored the faith's emphasis on prioritizing spiritual commitments, including door-to-door evangelism and regular meetings, over secular pursuits. The rigorous NBA schedule, which often involves games on weekends and holidays, directly conflicts with the time requirements of a devoted Jehovah's Witness. He briefly returned to the league in 2021-2022 with the Los Angeles Lakers, but his initial, definitive retirement remains a landmark moment.

2. Danny Granger: Finding Faith After the Final Whistle

Danny Granger, a former NBA All-Star and one of the most recognizable names on this list, also has deep ties to the faith. Unlike Collison, Granger’s public declaration of his spiritual commitment came after his professional basketball career had concluded.

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• Full Name: Danny Granger Jr.
• Born: April 20, 1983 (New Orleans, Louisiana)
• Position: Small Forward / Power Forward
• NBA Career: 2005–2015 (Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat)
• Faith Impact: Raised in a Jehovah's Witness household but was not baptized until 2017, two years after his retirement from the NBA.

Granger was a star player, primarily for the Indiana Pacers, where he earned his All-Star nod. While he grew up in the faith, he waited until his NBA career was over to fully commit and be baptized. This timeline suggests that the demands of the NBA—the constant travel, the competitive focus, and the time commitment—made it challenging to fully embrace the tenets of the faith while actively playing. His post-career baptism in 2017 is a testament to the enduring influence of his upbringing and the importance of spiritual dedication once the pressure of professional athletics was removed.

3. Dewayne Dedmon: The Current Connection

Dewayne Dedmon is the most recent player known to be a Jehovah's Witness. While he is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) as of the 2025-2026 season, his long career as a reliable center for multiple franchises, including the Miami Heat and Philadelphia Sixers, connects the faith to the modern NBA landscape.

• Full Name: Dewayne Jamal Dedmon
• Born: August 12, 1989 (Lancaster, California)
• Position: Center
• NBA Career: 2013–Present (Golden State, Philadelphia, Orlando, San Antonio, Miami, etc.)
• Faith Impact: A practicing member of the faith throughout his career, balancing the demands of the league with his spiritual life.

Dedmon’s presence in the league for over a decade demonstrates that it is possible for a Jehovah's Witness to navigate the professional sports world. However, his career likely required meticulous planning to attend congregation meetings and conventions while managing the travel schedule. His story is a living example of the logistical and personal challenges involved in maintaining a strong spiritual commitment within the high-profile, secular environment of the NBA.

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The Clash of Commitments: Why the NBA Lifestyle Conflicts with the Faith

The decision by players like Collison and Granger to either retire or wait until retirement to fully commit to the faith is not arbitrary. It stems from fundamental differences between the core tenets of the Jehovah's Witness belief system and the culture of professional sports. This conflict is rooted in several key entities and practices central to the faith:

Prioritizing Ministry and Spiritual Activities

A central tenet of the Jehovah's Witness faith is the commitment to regular ministry work, which includes door-to-door evangelism and field service. This requires significant, dedicated time, often on weekends. The NBA schedule, however, is a relentless grind of practices, travel, and games, with few breaks, particularly on weekends and during the playoffs. For a devout member, finding time for the required spiritual activities becomes a major logistical and moral hurdle. Collison explicitly cited this need for more time for his "faith" as his reason for retirement, highlighting the impossibility of balancing both roles effectively.

The Stance on Competitive Spirit and Neutrality

While the religion does not strictly prohibit playing sports, it has historically discouraged organized, highly competitive athletics. The concern is that intense competition can foster a spirit of rivalry, pride, and aggression, which conflicts with the Christian values of humility and love. The NBA is the pinnacle of competitive sport, where the pursuit of victory and personal glory is paramount. This environment can be viewed as spiritually risky, making it difficult for a player to maintain the recommended spiritual focus. The desire to avoid "bad association" is another factor that sometimes leads members to distance themselves from the secular, high-stakes world of professional athletics.

Abstaining from Celebrations and Political Involvement

Jehovah's Witnesses abstain from celebrating many traditional holidays, including Christmas and Easter, due to their non-scriptural origins. They also maintain strict political neutrality, which includes not saluting the flag or singing the national anthem. While the NBA has become more accommodating of player expression, the league's high-profile Christmas Day games—a major feature of the NBA schedule—present a direct conflict. Furthermore, the expectation of standing for the national anthem before every game can be a challenge for players who adhere to the faith's principle of neutrality. This is a crucial area of conflict that athletes from other faiths do not typically face in the same way.

The Enduring Legacy of Faith and the Hardwood

The stories of Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon offer a rare glimpse into the personal cost of spiritual devotion in the world of elite professional sports. Collison's decision to walk away from a multi-million-dollar career to pursue a life of ministry is perhaps the most powerful testimony to the faith's influence, demonstrating a commitment that transcends financial security and global fame. Granger's post-retirement baptism and Dedmon's ability to navigate the league for years as a practicing member further illustrate the deep, personal connection these athletes have to their spiritual beliefs.

The challenges faced by these players—balancing the demands of the NBA schedule with spiritual commitments, managing the competitive spirit, and adhering to the faith’s principles of neutrality—underscore the unique friction between the secular demands of a professional sports league and the devout life of a Jehovah's Witness. Their careers serve as a fascinating case study on the enduring power of faith over fortune.