How many ex NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

NBA is the world’s most prestigious basketball league and features players from different nationalities, races, and religions. Some of the NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses but not all of them have come clean about their religious beliefs.

But, who are Jevohav’s Witnesses and what are their beliefs?

Jehovah’s Witnesses        

Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination of evangelism. The group originated in the 1870s, and in 2023, it has over 100,000 congregations and many of its members are world-famous athletes.

The group believes that the end of the world is imminent and that all wicked souls will be destroyed and a new paradise will be established on earth before the doomsday. They also believe that Jesus is the son of God, but not part of a Trinity.

How Many Ex-NBA Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

As per our research, only five ex-NBA players, Michael Adams, Mark Acre, A.C Green, Darren Collison, and Danny Granger have announced themselves to be Jehovah’s Witnesses. Let’s discuss them one by one.

Michael Adams

Michael Adams – a former NBA point guard (PG) who represented several franchises throughout his career, including the Denver Nuggets, Washington Bullets, and Charlotte Hornets – has come out as Jehovah’s Witness.

Born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1963, Adams was brought up in a Catholic household but converted to Jehovah’s Witnesses later in his life. He is known for his strong faith and for openly discussing his beliefs with teammates and fans.

After retiring from basketball, Adams has remained active in the Jehovah’s Witnesses community and has used his platform to promote his faith.

Mark Acre

Mark Acre – another former NBA player is a Jehovah’s Witness. Acre represented the Indiana Pacers during the 1993-94 seasons and then played for several overseas teams throughout his career. Acre’s faith played a central role in his life, and he often shared his beliefs with others. In 2011, Acre was appointed as a regional spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses in California.

A.C. Green

A.C. Green is perhaps the most popular ex-NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness. The power forward (PF) played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, and Dallas Mavericks, Green during his career.

Born in 1963, Green was raised in Portland, Oregon, and was introduced to Jehovah’s Witnesses by his mother.

Green remained true to his faith throughout his career and abstained from premarital sex and alcohol, as part of his faith. After retiring from basketball, Green remained active in his church and worked as a motivational speaker.

Darren Collison

Darren Collision’s NBA career spanned from 2009 to 2019. During his decade-long career, the skillful point guard represented the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento, Dallas, New Orleans, and both Los Angeles teams.

In 2019, Collison took premature retirement at the age of 31 in order to focus on his faith.

“While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith,” Collison announced before retiring.

He returned to the star-studded league and signed a 10-day (three games) contract with the Lakers in December 2021. The franchise let him go after his contract expired.

Danny Granger

Another Indiana Pacers player, Danny Ganger who played nine seasons for the franchise, is a Jehovah’s Witness. The forward remained among the top scorers for the team for nine years, before switching to Los Angeles Clippers and then Miami Heat.

Granger grew up in a religious household by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but wasn’t baptized until 2017, two years before his final season in the NBA.

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NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

As of my knowledge in May 2021, there are a few NBA players who are known to be Jehovah’s Witnesses:

Kyrie Irving

 Kyrie Irving, currently playing for the Brooklyn Nets, has publicly stated his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness.

Michael Beasley

Michael Beasley, who has played for multiple NBA teams, has also confirmed his affiliation with Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Patrick McCaw

Patrick McCaw, a shooting guard for the Toronto Raptors, is known to be a practicing Jehovah’s Witness.

Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and players’ religious affiliations may change over time, so it’s essential to verify the current status of their beliefs.

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FAQs

Q: How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: There are several ex NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, including Danny Granger, DeWayne Dedmon and Darren Collison.

Q: Which ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: Some of the notable ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses are Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and DeWayne Dedmon.

Q: How many ex-NBA players have embraced the Jehovah’s Witness faith?

A: There are many ex-NBA players who have embraced the Jehovah’s Witness faith. Some of them include Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and DeWayne Dedmon.

Q: Are there any current NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: It is not publicly known if there are any current NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Q: How many ex-NBA players have retired from basketball and become Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: Several ex-NBA players, such as Darren Collison and DeWayne Dedmon, retired from basketball and became Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Q: Have any ex-NBA players returned to the NBA after becoming Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: There haven’t been any known cases of ex-NBA players returning to the NBA after embracing the Jehovah’s Witness faith.

Q: Can you provide a list of ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: Some ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses include Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and DeWayne Dedmon.

Q: Are there any famous ex-NBA players who are also Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A: Yes, there are several famous ex-NBA players who are also Jehovah’s Witnesses. Some examples include Darren Collison and Danny Granger.

Q: What are some notable basketball players who have become Jehovah’s Witnesses after retiring from the NBA?

A: Some notable basketball players who became Jehovah’s Witnesses after retiring from the NBA are Darren Collison and DeWayne Dedmon.

Q: How did the decision to become Jehovah’s Witnesses impact the careers of these ex-NBA players?

A: The decision to become Jehovah’s Witnesses led these ex-NBA players to focus on their faith and retire from professional basketball.

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