Ex-NBA Players Who are Jehovah’s Witnesses
Professional sports offer their share of fame and glory. Many people have had their lives transformed overnight simply because they were allowed to participate in various sports, such as basketball, football, and track and field athletics.
Basketball, as we all know, is a sport that has a world of its own. This sport has given us various legendary and unforgettable icons, such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
As much as a sport can influence various aspects and areas of the lives of the players involved, their personal lives, religious principles, and beliefs can significantly affect in shaping the decisions they make.
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In the world of basketball ball over the years, current and former NBA players have opened up about their faith to the general public.
In this article, we will examine some former NBA players who are also Jehovah’s Witnesses.
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Ex-NBA Players – Danny Granger
Danny Granger’s career spanned from 2005 to 2015. The name of the team he played with at this particular time was the Indiana Pacers, and he took the position of one of the team’s forwards.
Danny shocked everyone during his time by doing something most NBA players find difficult to do. In 2009, he achieved two significant milestones: All-Star status and the “Most Improved Player” award.
He was able to accomplish this within a single season.
Apart from his life of fame on the court, a lot is also discussed about his faith online.
Danny’s family was grounded in the Jehovah’s Witness’s teachings. Even though he didn’t get baptised until 2017, his religion has influenced him in various aspects of life.
This impact was evident during his time as a basketball player and continued after he left the NBA.
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Ex-NBA Players – Dewayne Dedmon
Various forms of challenges and difficulties mark Dewayne Dedmon’s life. Dewayne was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness family.
His mother was very devoted to the faith, and this influenced Dedmon. She made sure to teach her son every teaching supported by Jehovah’s Witnesses and also ensured that he was grounded in them.
Dedmon’s mother was the type who did not encourage his son to participate in any form of sporting activity. As a result, Dedmon faced challenges in getting involved in sports when he was younger.
Despite all this, he determined within himself that he wouldn’t give up. Ultimately, his determination paid off, and he was accepted into the NBA.
Desmond has made it known that his mother’s faith had a positive impact on him when he was younger.
He said that the teachings of Jehovah’s Witnesses helped instil in him the early discipline he needed to navigate the complexities of life.
Ex-NBA Players – Darren Collision
Darren was a popular standout point guard in the NBA who played for various teams, including the Clippers, Lakers, Mavericks, and Pacers.
After spending ten years in the NBA, he retired at the age of 31. He publicly announced to fans in an interview, saying, “While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith”.
He made it known that he was retiring so that he could devote more time to his faith and family.
Ex-NBA Players – Michael Adams
Between 1995 and 1996, Michael Adams played with two different teams. They were the Denver Nuggets and the Washington Bullets.
He was a professional basketball player who later joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the late 90s and decided to become a committed member.
After his retirement, he devoted his life to his family and his faith and also embraced Jehovah’s Witnesses’s teachings wholeheartedly.
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Ex-NBA Players Mark Jackson
Mark Jackson was a full-time basketball player whose career spanned from 1987 to 2004. During his time as a player, he played in nine different teams. Some of them include the Clippers, Pacers, Raptors, etc.
He was able to accumulate up to 10,344 assists within this time.
Despite being an active basketball player during his time, he joined the Jehovah’s Witnesses and remained committed to his faith until his retirement.
He later became an ordained minister and established his church, which he managed alongside his wife.
