There are a few former NBA playerswho are Jehovah’s Witnesses. Notable examples include Darren Collison, who retired early to focus on his faith, Danny Granger, who was baptized into the faith after his basketball career, and Dewayne Dedmon, who overcame restrictions in his upbringing due to his faith to become a successful NBA player. These players have spoken about how their beliefs have shaped their personal and professional lives.

Darren Collison

Darren Michael Collison had a successful 10-year NBA career, during which he averaged 12.5 points and 5 assists per game. He was known for his speed and shooting, notably leading the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage during the 2017-2018 season. Collison played for five teams, including the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, LA Clippers, and Sacramento Kings.

Collison left the NBA in 2019, at the age of 31, citing his commitment to his faith as a Jehovah's Witness. He had been raised in this religious community, and his spiritual beliefs became his main focus over his basketball career. His decision surprised many, as he was still performing at a high level, but he chose to prioritize his faith, stating that it gave him more peace and joy than basketball could.

Post-retirement, Darren Collison has focused on his family, religious activities, and volunteer work within the Jehovah's Witnesses community, dedicating his life to his faith and service. He also continues to stay involved in basketball through occasional community work but has maintained that his faith is his primary commitment​.

Danny Granger

Danny Granger had a standout career in the NBA, primarily with the Indiana Pacers, where he was drafted 17th overall in 2005. During his time with the Pacers, Granger established himself as a top scorer and was named an All-Star in 2009. That same year, he won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award after averaging 25.8 points per game, making him one of the league's elite scorers. Unfortunately, recurring knee injuries started to affect his performance, and despite efforts to recover, his playing time diminished. He had brief stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before retiring in 2015 due to these persistent injuries.

Raised in a religious household, Granger was familiar with the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses from an early age. However, it wasn’t until after his retirement from basketball that he was baptized as a Jehovah’s Witness in 2017. Since then, his faith has played a central role in his life. Granger has stepped away from the public spotlight to focus more on his family and religious commitments, fully dedicating himself to his faith after leaving his basketball career behind.

His story reflects a shift from the spotlight of professional sports to a quieter life rooted in spirituality and community service after leaving the NBA due to injury.

Dewayne Dedmon

Dewayne Dedmon is a professional basketball player who has played as a center for several NBA teams. Despite not picking up basketball until his late teens, Dedmon has carved out a successful career in the league. He was born into a household that followed Jehovah's Witness beliefs, and his mother strongly discouraged him from participating in organized sports due to the faith's teachings. As a result, Dedmon did not receive formal basketball coaching in his youth.

Despite these obstacles, Dedmon pursued his passion for basketball in college at USC and eventually made it to the NBA. He went undrafted in 2013 but signed with the Golden State Warriors for the summer league, eventually securing contracts with teams like the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, and Miami Heat. Known for his role as a valuable supporting player, Dedmon's size and skills made him a strong defensive presence and rebounder.

Dedmon's dedication to his faith remained significant throughout his career. While he faced religious restrictions during his upbringing, his story is seen as one of perseverance and success in both his professional and spiritual life. His involvement with Jehovah's Witnesses continues to influence his life decisions, though he remains an active player in the NBA as of 2023.

In his post-NBA future, Dedmon is likely to maintain a balance between his faith and personal endeavors, much like other players who have embraced Jehovah's Witness beliefs during or after their sports careers.