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

A comedian’s stand-up bit sparked a Google search frenzy. Brittany Schmitt joked about dating a former NBA player who later became a Jehovah’s Witness — and suddenly, fans wanted a real answer. The question turned out to be harder to pin down than expected. So let’s settle it properly.

How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? At least 3 are publicly confirmed, but the broader list stretches well beyond that — reaching 10 or more when you include players across different eras who practiced the faith quietly.

What Are Jehovah’s Witnesses? Beliefs, Practices, and Core Principles

The faith dates back to the 1800s, when a small group began challenging traditional Christian doctrines with a more literal approach to scripture. They follow a distinct form of Christianity centered on one core belief: Jehovah is the one true God, and the end of this world is imminent.

Their practices differ noticeably from mainstream Christianity:

• No blood transfusions — even in medical emergencies
• No military service — based on neutrality in worldly conflicts
• No political involvement — including voting in most cases
• No holiday celebrations — birthdays, Christmas, and national holidays are avoided

Bible study and active preaching form the core of daily life. As of 2022, the faith had over 100,000 active members in the United States alone. For a professional athlete living in the spotlight, following these rules takes serious commitment.

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

As of 2023, three ex-NBA players are publicly confirmed Jehovah’s Witnesses: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon.

All three were active during the 2000s and 2010s. Collison and Granger shared the Indiana Pacers roster for several seasons, while Dedmon came into the league in 2013 and wore jerseys for multiple franchises, including the Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.

Player	Team(s)	Faith Status
Darren Collison	Indiana Pacers, LA Lakers	Publicly confirmed
Danny Granger	Indiana Pacers	Raised in faith, baptized in 2017
Dewayne Dedmon	Miami Heat, 76ers	Publicly confirmed

The three names above represent the most documented cases. But the actual number is likely higher. When you factor in players who practiced privately or never addressed the topic publicly, anecdotal evidence suggests the count could reach 10 or more across NBA history. Against a pool of over 400 former players, that still places the figure well below 3% — a small but notable group with stories worth knowing.

Notable Ex-NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses

Darren Collison

Collison’s story stands out because he cited his faith directly as the reason for walking away from professional basketball. In 2019, after averaging nearly 28 minutes per game over 76 games, he announced his retirement in a letter to ESPN’s Undefeated.

His message was clear: family and faith came first. He described the joy of volunteering, participating in a worldwide ministry, and serving others — calling it unmatched compared to anything basketball offered.

Two years later, he briefly returned, signing a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He also worked out with the Phoenix Suns and Golden State Warriors. But the comeback was short-lived. His priorities had genuinely shifted.

Danny Granger

Granger joined the Indiana Pacers roster in 2005 after being drafted as one of their most anticipated young talents. By 2009, he earned the Most Improved Player award and an All-Star selection. From 2008 to 2012, he was one of the best scorers in the league.

Then injuries derailed his career.

What’s notable is that Granger didn’t convert — he grew up in a Jehovah’s Witness household. In a 2008 interview with the Indianapolis Star, he talked about how the faith gave him a sense of serenity that carried directly onto the basketball court. He retired in 2015 and was baptized two years later in 2017. He also became known for philanthropic work and advocacy for mental health awareness.

Dewayne Dedmon

Dedmon’s path to the NBA is unlike most. He didn’t start playing organized basketball until his senior year of high school. The reason? His mother’s Jehovah’s Witness faith. She actively opposed his participation in sports.

At 18, he confronted her about his passion. That decision eventually led him to become one of the 450 players in the NBA — a number that represents a fraction of all who try. He played for the Miami Heat, among other teams, and has publicly credited his faith for helping him maintain composure through difficult circumstances, as stated in a Business Insider interview.

Michael Adams

Adams played for the Denver Nuggets and Charlotte Hornets before retiring and converting to the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. He began sharing his beliefs publicly after leaving the game — a path that mirrors several other players who found the faith post-retirement.

Mark Acres

Acres played for the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic. After stepping away from professional basketball, he dedicated time to practicing and promoting Jehovah’s Witnesses’ teachings, describing it as a spiritual calling he could finally pursue without the demands of an NBA schedule.

Other NBA Players Associated With Jehovah’s Witnesses

A.C. Green

Green is one of the best-known cases from the 1980s. Around the time of his first championship in 1987 with the Los Angeles Lakers, he aligned himself with the worldwide Christian movement connected to Jehovah’s Witnesses. He became a regular speaker at religious gatherings and youth events long after his playing career ended.

Sam Perkins

In the 1990s, Seattle SuperSonics center Sam Perkins drew public attention when he stood out of formation during the national anthem. He attributed the gesture to his Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. It was a quiet but visible statement at the time.

Detlef Schrempf

Schrempf — a FIBA Hall of Famer — adopted the Jehovah’s Witness faith during the 1990s and has remained an active preacher since. His case is interesting because he was a prominent international player who chose a faith with strict social boundaries while competing at the highest level.

Additional Players

The broader list of NBA players connected to Jehovah’s Witnesses includes Mark Jackson, Reggie Theus, Thurl Bailey, Tim Duncan, David Robinson, and Clyde Drexler. Some were raised in the faith; others came to it later. Some practiced privately. In most cases, these players rarely discussed religion in media settings, which is why the full number is hard to confirm.

With over 75 years of NBA history, the actual count of players who have followed the faith at some point is likely higher than public records reflect.

The Role of Faith in NBA Careers and Retirement Decisions

Religion influenced these players in concrete, measurable ways — not just spiritually.

Collison turned down the chance to continue earning an NBA salary because ministry and volunteering aligned more with his values. Granger avoided certain lifestyle choices common in professional sports — nightlife, specific endorsements, and behaviors that conflicted with religious teachings. Dedmon structured his entire career entry around eventually separating his faith from his mother’s restrictions.

In practice, Jehovah’s Witnesses athletes often navigate:

• Skipping team celebrations tied to national holidays
• Declining endorsement deals that conflict with moral frameworks
• Choosing charities and community work aligned with personal values

This isn’t about weakness. It reflects a different set of priorities — and it shapes decision-making throughout a career, not just at retirement.

Challenges of Being a Jehovah’s Witness in Professional Basketball

Long seasons, constant travel, and intense media attention define NBA life. For a Jehovah’s Witness player, that environment creates friction points that other athletes don’t face.

Missing holiday-related team events can create awkward dynamics. Refusing blood transfusions in medical emergencies can become a genuine safety concern. Staying out of political conversations — especially when leagues push voter registration campaigns — requires deliberate silence in a very public setting.

The faith community often provides a support system. But the transition from team culture to congregation life is real, and it takes time. A common issue is that players don’t discuss these challenges openly until retirement, which is why these stories tend to surface years after careers end.

How Faith Shaped Life After Basketball

For ex-NBA Jehovah’s Witnesses, retirement isn’t a slowdown — it’s often a redirect.

Many move into active community work, preaching within local congregations, and volunteer roles. Clean living remains a priority. Strict diets, no substance use, and limited public appearances become the norm. Privacy around family life is heavily protected.

David Robinson established scholarships and education programs guided by his values. Tim Duncan quietly supported community initiatives. Clyde Drexler participated in mentorship programs focused on ethical behavior and personal growth. These contributions reach neighborhoods and schools far removed from professional sports.

Spiritual fulfillment — not championship rings — becomes the primary measure of success.

The Influence of Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Faith on Player Performance and Character

The traits that define elite NBA players — discipline, resilience, leadership, and composure — overlap closely with what Jehovah’s Witnesses practice daily. That’s not a coincidence.

Granger described serenity as a direct product of his faith. Collison connected his volunteer work to a joy that basketball couldn’t replicate. Dedmon tied his composure during hardship directly to his spiritual discipline.

This typically happens when athletes have a strong internal framework that operates independently of wins, losses, contracts, or public opinion. Faith provides that structure. It doesn’t guarantee performance, but it shapes how players handle failure — which, in a long NBA career, matters more than most things.

Public Perception and Media Coverage of NBA Jehovah’s Witnesses

The media rarely covers an athlete’s religion unless something controversial surfaces. Brittany Schmitt’s comedy special on YouTube changed that briefly. Her standup set — discussing an ex-NBA player who reached out post-breakup to tell her he’d become a Jehovah’s Witness — went viral. Her husband encouraged her to Google how many ex-NBA players were Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the resulting answer (around two or three) nearly removed the anonymity she was trying to protect.

The incident pulled Danny Granger and Darren Collison into the conversation. Neither confirmed nor denied anything publicly.

In general, fans respond with respect rather than criticism when athletes discuss this faith. The combination of discipline, generosity, and privacy tends to generate admiration across sports and faith communities alike. Younger athletes watching these stories often see proof that religious convictions and professional dreams can coexist.

Conclusion

The confirmed answer to how many ex-NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses sits at three well-documented names: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon. But the full picture includes players from the 1980s and 1990s — A.C. Green, Sam Perkins, Detlef Schrempf — plus a longer list of players who practiced privately across different eras.

What connects all of them isn’t just a religious label. It’s a specific kind of discipline, a willingness to prioritize values over career convenience, and a life that looks very different after basketball ends. These aren’t abstract qualities. They show up in retirement letters, career decisions, and community work that continues long after the last game is played.

FAQs

FAQ 1: How many ex-NBA players are confirmed Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Three are publicly confirmed as of 2023: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon. The broader number may reach 10 or more when including players who practiced privately across NBA history.

FAQ 2: Why did Darren Collison retire from the NBA?

Collison retired in 2019, citing his Jehovah’s Witnesses faith as the primary reason. In a letter to ESPN’s Undefeated, he described the joy of ministry and volunteering as something basketball could not match. He prioritized family and faith over continuing his career.

FAQ 3: Did Danny Granger grow up as a Jehovah’s Witness?

Yes. Granger was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household. He played for the Indiana Pacers from 2005, earned an All-Star selection in 2009, and was officially baptized in 2017 — two years after his retirement in 2015.

FAQ 4: How did Dewayne Dedmon’s faith affect his basketball career?

Dedmon’s mother followed the Jehovah’s Witness faith and opposed his involvement in sports. He didn’t begin playing organized basketball until his senior year of high school. At 18, he pushed back against that restriction, eventually making it to the NBA.

FAQ 5: Are there any active NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?

No active NBA players are publicly confirmed as Jehovah’s Witnesses as of 2023. Some players may follow the faith privately, but none have made public statements confirming active practice while currently on a roster.

FAQ 6: What NBA players from the 1980s and 1990s were Jehovah’s Witnesses?

A.C. Green aligned with the faith around 1987 during his time with the Los Angeles Lakers. Sam Perkins of the Seattle SuperSonics drew attention in the 90s for standing out during the national anthem. Detlef Schrempf, a FIBA Hall of Famer, adopted the faith in the 1990s and became an active preacher.

FAQ 7: Does being a Jehovah’s Witness affect an NBA player’s endorsements?

It can. Jehovah’s Witnesses follow strict moral and lifestyle guidelines. Players with this faith may decline endorsement deals tied to alcohol, gambling, or promotions that conflict with their religious teachings. Career choices around charities also tend to align with their values rather than standard athlete partnerships.

FAQ 8: Who is Brittany Schmitt, and why did she spark interest in NBA Jehovah’s Witnesses?

Brittany Schmitt is a comedian who released a full-length comedy special on YouTube. A segment about her ex — a former NBA player who became a Jehovah’s Witness — went viral. Her husband suggested she Google how many ex-NBA players were Jehovah’s Witnesses. The small number (around two or three, according to her set) made anonymity nearly impossible, indirectly pointing toward Danny Granger or Darren Collison.