By Admin 
If you’ve ever asked “how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses”, the honest answer is: there’s no definitive public tally. The numbers shift depending on who is documented, who has spoken openly about faith, and who prefers privacy. But what we can say is that a small group of former NBA players are widely reported to have identified with the faith during or after their careers — and those stories are worth examining.
What We Know — Documented Ex-Players with Ties to Jehovah’s Witnesses
A handful of ex-NBA players have been named repeatedly in public sources as Jehovah’s Witnesses or having close associations with the faith. Among them are:
- Darren Collison — He retired in 2019, citing family and religious faith among his reasons. His retirement announcement implied his commitment to Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.
- Danny Granger — The former Indiana Pacers forward has been reported as being raised in the faith, and his religious background is often mentioned in lists of former NBA players who are Witnesses.
- Dewayne Dedmon — Multiple sources list him among former or current players associated with Jehovah’s Witnesses. Globe+1
These names frequently pop up in articles and lists discussing the intersection of NBA careers and faith, and they form the core group when trying to answer “how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses.”
Confirmed Ex-NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses
| Player | NBA Career | Teams Played For | Public Confirmation Type | Notes |
|---|
| Darren Collison | 2009–2019 | Pacers, Mavericks, Clippers, Kings, Lakers | Personal retirement letter (2019) | Retired early to focus on faith; remains active in ministry work. |
| Danny Granger | 2005–2015 | Pacers, Clippers, Heat | Interviews discussing family background | Granger grew up in a Jehovah’s Witness household. |
| Dewayne Dedmon | 2013–2023 | Warriors, Magic, Hawks, Spurs, Heat, 76ers | Interviews about upbringing | Raised as a Jehovah’s Witness; did not play competitive basketball until later because of religious restrictions. |
Why It’s Hard to Define a Precise Number
Even with a few known names, arriving at a firm number — say, “eight,” “ten,” or “fifteen” — is tricky, for several reasons:
- Privacy of Faith: Many athletes choose not to publicly declare their religious beliefs. Even if they follow Jehovah’s Witness teachings, they might not speak about it publicly, especially in a world focused on performance and media.
- Changing Beliefs: People’s beliefs can change over time. A player might have identified with Jehovah’s Witnesses early in life but later shifted away, or vice versa.
- Inconsistent Reporting: Not all media outlets or fan sites verify claims thoroughly. Some lists mix anecdotal, unconfirmed names, while others rely only on public admissions or verifiable evidence. This leads to conflicting lists.
Because of these variables, many sources emphasize that any count is only approximate and depends on the criteria used (public admission, baptism, upbringing, etc.).
What Scholars and Reporters Have Found
Some media summaries conclude that at least a few dozen former and current professional basketball players — including those in the NBA — have had affiliations with Jehovah’s Witnesses over the decades, but the confirmed number remains relatively small.
One recent compilation estimates “approximately 10–12 former NBA players” have publicly identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses, though the article emphasizes that the figure could be higher if private believers were counted.
Another source using stricter criteria — public admissions, retirement for faith reasons, or consistent reports — names three or four “confirmed” ex-players.
What It Means: A Minority but a Notable One
Given the size of the NBA — several hundreds of players active at any time, thousands over decades — the share of Jehovah’s Witness-affiliated individuals appears small. But that doesn’t make their stories insignificant. In fact, their decisions to publicly identify, retire, or adapt their personal lives around their faith stand out because they go against the grain of the high-profile, high-visibility world of professional sports.
Their journeys spark discussions about religion, identity, and professional sport — and contribute to a broader understanding of how athletes balance personal conviction with public careers.
Examples: Lives Beyond the Court
Darren Collison
Collison’s retirement was a headline because of his age and position as a valuable point guard. In his statement, he mentioned a desire to focus on family and faith, leading many to link his decision to his Jehovah’s Witness beliefs.
Danny Granger
Granger’s background has been cited in multiple lists of ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. While he never made his faith the centerpiece of his public image, the affiliation appears consistently in reporting on the topic.
Dewayne Dedmon
Though more often referenced among “current or recently active” players, Dedmon also appears in sources listing ex-players associated with the faith. His inclusion illustrates how complicated the distinction between “active” and “ex-player” can be — and how faith sometimes carries on beyond the court.
Why Some Players Keep Faith Private
For many athletes, religion is deeply personal — not always something to include in highlight reels, interviews or endorsement deals. The lifestyle of a Jehovah’s Witness can conflict with some aspects of professional sports: weekend games, travel schedules, celebrations, sponsorships. Some players may choose to keep their beliefs private to avoid scrutiny or just because they value separation between personal faith and public image.
That makes it likely that there are former players who follow the faith but have never publicly acknowledged it. As a result, any public list or article will be underestimating the real number of ex-NBA players affiliated with Jehovah’s Witnesses.
What This Means for Research and Discussion
Because of privacy and changing beliefs, it’s nearly impossible to pin down an exact number of ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Instead, what we have is a minimum confirmed list — the players who have publicly associated themselves with the faith — and the broader possibility of others who choose to keep their beliefs private.
For researchers, fans, or anyone curious, this underscores a few important lessons:
- Approach lists with caution. Even “definitive” counts should be taken as conservative estimates.
- Respect privacy. Religious belief is personal, and media reports sometimes rely on second-hand accounts or rumors.
- Understand context. The dynamics of professional sports — contracts, public image, travel — can influence whether athletes discuss their faith or keep it private.
Conclusion
If someone asks “how many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses,” the best honest answer is: “a small number, but no exact count.” Based on publicly available information, we can identify a few — such as Darren Collison, Danny Granger and Dewayne Dedmon — but due to privacy, changing beliefs, and inconsistent reporting, any number beyond that remains speculative.
What’s clear is that their stories remind us that even in a high-visibility world like the NBA, personal faith can play a quiet but meaningful role. Whether publicly embraced or privately held, those connections show the diverse backgrounds and individual journeys of athletes beyond what we see on the court.