Are you searching for the precise list of ex-NBA players that converted their beliefs to JW beliefs? Only 3 famous Jehovah’s Witnesses are renowned NBA players. Stay tuned to know about each one of them.
In general, players from different nations, religions, sexual orientations, and even religions are usually found playing in the most prestigious basketball leagues globally. Those athletes from all around the world then compete with each other to be declared the best at the top-most level.
What are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are defined as a Christian sect that primarily dates back to Jesus Christ’s times. It was founded in the early 1870s. To date, it has over more than 1,00,000 congregations. In addition, a significant portion of its adherents are globally renowned athletes.
Most members of the popular National Basketball Association (Abbreviated as NBA) have generally followed this particular denomination at various times throughout the existence of the league.
How many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? What do they believe?
Three famous NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses. All three of them are very well-known for their basketball play and evangelistic efforts in the game. However, they initially adhered to different odd beliefs, especially with those of mainstream Christianity. At first, they believed Bible to be the most valuable but soon frown upon different religious public displays, such as birthday parties and blood transfusions. However, their adherents were noted for their insistence and unwavering commitment to the Bible which primarily included the ethical principles and moral guide aspects related to the everyday life of an individual.
List of Ex-NBA Basketball Players that are Jehovah’s Witnesses
1. Darren Collison
Darren Collison is a former basketball player and NBA team player who played from 2009 to 2019. During this reign, he played three years for the Sacramento Kings and four years for the Indian Pacers. Moreover, this point guard also effortlessly played for other famous teams including
- Dallas team
- New Orleans team
- And both Los Angeles teams
However, he decided to focus on his faith and took retirement from his NBA career in 2019. At the time of this particular decision, he was 31 years of his age.
2. Danny Granger
Another basketball player who is Jehovah’s Witness and played for Indiana Pacers is Danny Granger.
During his play for the Pacers for over nine seasons consistently, he, fortunately, remained one of the team’s leading scorers. Following his graceful time and career with the Pacers, he moved forward to play for the Miami Heat and the Los Angeles Clippers. But unfortunately, he could not win any championship there.
Granger was born and raised in a religious household conducted by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but unfortunately, he wasn’t baptized until the year 2017, which is two years right after his final NBA season.
3. Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne is also one of the best and most followed NBA players. However, if he has followed his mother’s advice and religion, he may not have been reached in the NBA. Dedmon was raised in a grand household of Jehovah’s Witnesses. But his mother badly forbade him from playing basketball.
He was skinny as a teenager and due to his family’s background and religion, he wasn’t coached much. But, he did much hard work and was eventually chosen by the NBA team.
Currently, he is entering the final phase of his basketball career. But unfortunately, he hasn’t won any championships yet. His inspiring story and example are proof that nothing is impossible in this world. One can achieve anything he wants with sheer dedication and hard work in life. We should just have a strong belief and faith in ourselves.
FAQS
Question. No.1: How many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Answer: Typically, it is believed that just 3 Ex- NBA, Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon, are Jehovah’s witnesses.
Question. no.2: How has faith played a significant role in the NBA career of Darren Collison?
Answer: Darren Collison had been greatly vocal and outspoken about his faith and religious beliefs. He cited his faith as an integral significant part of both his personal life as well as NBA career. He was so much into it that in the year 2019, he took retirement from his basketball league to explore the beauty of spirituality. Later, he returned to the NBA basketball team with a heightened appreciation that probably came from an increased spiritual growth, in 2021. His faith played a significant role in bringing him massive success and fame throughout his time in the league by guiding his decisions very well.
Question. No.3: What major obstacles did NBA player Dewayne Dedmon face as Jehovah’s Witness while pursuing his basketball career?
Answer: Dewayne Dedmon, an Ex-NBA player, faced a large number of challenges during his pursuit as a Jehovah’s Witness in his NBA career. Most especially the requirement and need to abstain from taking part in different games and their preparatory practices done on weekends. However, nevertheless, with his hard work, dedication, and strong faith, Dewayne successfully achieved his goal and is now enjoying a successful professional basketball career.
Conclusion
The popular stories and news of Ex-NBA Players who generously embraced the faith of Jehovah’s Witness, as well as famous personalities like Jeremy Lin and Kobe Bryant who have strong religious beliefs, primarily demonstrate the fundamental impact that faith and belief of professional athletes can have on their careers and lives.
However, through their strong dedication and continuous effort to their beliefs, most NBA players have remarkably shown that a powerful faith can readily provide a strong sense of strength, support, and a purpose in life, especially in the face of adversity. That ultimately helps such players to navigate the demanding world of several basketball professionals.
Now, as we have reflected on the various aspects and inspiring athletic journeys of Ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, we remind you of the power of faith and a belief in guiding our life decisions and shaping our lives. Whether in the Wider world or on the basketball court, faith can surely be a great source of hope, strength, and inspiration for all those individuals who embrace it.
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