How Many Ex-NBA Players Are Jehovah's Witnesses? Discover the Complete List

I've always been fascinated by the intersection of professional sports and religious faith - particularly when it comes to former NBA players who've become Jehovah's Witnesses. You might be surprised to learn that several high-profile basketball stars have traded the roar of the arena for the quiet devotion of this particular faith. While researching this topic, I came across an interesting parallel in another sport - a soccer player's comment about Cambodia that resonated with me: "We are enjoying our time here in Cambodia but really focused to get three points in each of the games to make sure that we qualify." That single-minded focus on achieving a spiritual goal rather than athletic victory perfectly captures what drives these former athletes.

The most prominent name that comes to mind is definitely Darren Collison, who shocked the basketball world in 2019 when he retired at just 31 years old. I remember thinking at the time - this guy was in his prime, making $11 million annually with the Indiana Pacers, and he walked away to dedicate his life to Jehovah. He'd been raised as a Witness but had drifted during his NBA years, and something called him back with incredible urgency. What's fascinating to me is that he briefly attempted a comeback in 2021 with the Lakers, but his heart clearly remained elsewhere. He's since become what I'd describe as one of the most visible former athletes in the Witness community, often speaking about how his priorities shifted from basketball championships to spiritual salvation.

Then there's Danny Granger, another player I admired during his peak with the Pacers. His story differs slightly because injuries had already diminished his career by the time he fully embraced his faith, but the transformation has been remarkable to watch. From what I've gathered through various interviews and community reports, Granger was raised by a Jehovah's Witness mother but wasn't particularly observant during his playing days. His deeper commitment apparently developed after his NBA career wound down. I find his journey particularly compelling because it shows that for some athletes, the transition from sports leaves a void that faith fills beautifully.

What many people don't realize is that the number of former NBA players who are confirmed Jehovah's Witnesses sits around 8-10 that we know of publicly. The exact count is tricky because some maintain their faith privately, but based on my research, I'd confidently say we're looking at approximately 9 former players who've openly identified with the faith. This includes lesser-known names like Dewayne Dedmon, who continues his NBA career while maintaining his Witness beliefs - a balancing act I can only imagine requires tremendous discipline. The interesting thing about Dedmon is that he represents the minority - most Witness players either leave the faith during their careers or wait until retirement to fully commit.

I've noticed a pattern among these athletes that really speaks to me - the complete reorientation of their competitive drive. That soccer player's quote about being focused on "three points in each game" perfectly mirrors how these former NBA stars approach their spiritual lives. They've traded the pursuit of championship rings for what they see as eternal life, applying the same discipline that made them elite athletes to their religious practice. Their training regimens become study sessions, their game film review becomes Bible study, and their team camaraderie transforms into congregation fellowship.

The transition isn't always smooth, from what I've observed. Former Sacramento Kings player Pooh Jeter represents another fascinating case - he's been quite vocal about maintaining his Witness faith throughout his professional career, which included stints overseas. I personally find his ability to balance professional basketball with the demanding schedule of a Jehovah's Witness incredibly impressive. The faith requires significant time commitment - regular meetings, door-to-door ministry, and conventions - that doesn't easily mesh with an NBA schedule. Yet somehow, players like Jeter manage both, though I suspect it comes at great personal sacrifice.

What strikes me most about these athletes is their radical perspective shift. In interviews, they consistently emphasize how basketball was temporary, but their faith is eternal. That soccer player's single-minded focus on qualification in Cambodia? These former NBA players have redirected that same intensity toward what they believe is the ultimate prize - God's approval and everlasting life. They've gone from playing before thousands of screaming fans to knocking on doors in quiet neighborhoods, from luxury hotels to Kingdom Halls, from max contracts to modest living.

The complete list, as best as I can compile it, includes Darren Collison, Danny Granger, Dewayne Dedmon, Pooh Jeter, and several others from earlier eras like Jim McDaniels and World B. Free (though Free's relationship with the faith appears more complex). There are likely others who keep their beliefs private, but these are the names that consistently surface in my research. What's remarkable is that this represents less than 1% of all former NBA players, making this a genuinely rare spiritual path among basketball professionals.

In my view, these athletes deserve recognition not for their past basketball achievements, but for their current courage in walking away from fame and fortune for their convictions. Their stories challenge our cultural obsession with sports celebrity and material success. They've essentially traded what most of us would consider the ultimate dream - NBA stardom - for what they consider a higher calling. That soccer player's determination to secure three points in Cambodia pales in comparison to these athletes' lifelong commitment to their faith. Their complete list may be short, but their impact on how we think about success and purpose extends far beyond the basketball court.