NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses: The List
NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses number three in the most reliably documented list: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon.
No current NBA player is publicly confirmed as a Jehovah’s Witness, as of August 6, 2025, per SurpriseSports, and all known cases are former players.
This page tiers every name, reliably documented versus widely documented versus disputed versus false, so you can see what is confirmed and what is not.
Every claim carries a source and a date, and every conflicting claim is shown by source, because merging them would mislead you.
Last updated on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and this page will be updated when a player speaks publicly and changes the answer.
Short answer: three former NBA players are most commonly identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Read the tiered list first, then each player, then the false names, and you will know the full story.
NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Short Answer
Three former NBA players are most commonly identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
While no official count exists, at least three former NBA players have been publicly identified as members of the faith, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
As of August 6, 2025, there are no confirmed current NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, per SurpriseSports.
Most known cases, like Collison or Dedmon, are ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, per SurpriseSports.
Faith can be a private matter, so pinning down an exact count of ex-NBA players who are now Jehovah’s Witnesses is tough, per SurpriseSports.
Because of privacy, exact counts are tricky, and there may be others who practice privately and choose not to discuss it, per ThinkDesignBlog.
The topic gained renewed public attention in 2025 after comedian Brittany Schmitt’s comedy special referenced dating a former NBA player who became a Jehovah’s Witness, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
The Tiered List: What Is Confirmed and What Is Not
The table below tiers every name, so you can see at a glance what is reliably documented, what is widely documented, what is disputed, and what is false.
Tier 1 means the player’s faith is reliably documented in interviews, family background, or the player’s own statements.
Tier 2 means the player’s faith is widely documented, but the documentation is thinner, older, or second-hand.
Disputed means the claim is made by some sources, but reliable sources dispute it, so it cannot be presented as fact.
False means the claim is wrong, and the player belongs to a different faith, or there is no credible evidence at all.
| Tier | Player | NBA years | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1, reliably documented | Darren Collison | 2009-2019 | Practicing Witness, retired for faith |
| 1, reliably documented | Danny Granger | 2005-2015 | Raised in faith, baptized 2017 |
| 1, reliably documented | Dewayne Dedmon | 2013-2023 | Raised in faith, current practice unconfirmed |
| 2, widely documented | Dave Meyers | 1975-1980 | Retired early for faith and family |
| 2, widely documented, disputed | A.C. Green | 1985-2001 | Disputed, evangelical per reliable sources |
| False | Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | 1969-1989 | Muslim, not a Witness |
| False | Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf | 1990-2001 | Muslim, not a Witness |
| False | Manute Bol | 1985-1995 | No credible evidence |
| False | Alonzo Mourning | 1992-2008 | No credible evidence |
This tiered table comes from Medium, February 25, 2026, SurpriseSports, and the keyword 167 research, as seen on November 10, 2026.
Do not present a Tier 2 or disputed name as confirmed, and do not present a false name as a Witness, because that would mislead readers.
Darren Collison
Darren Collison played ten NBA seasons, from 2009 to 2019, spending time with the New Orleans Hornets, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Indiana Pacers, and Sacramento Kings, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
In June 2019, at just 31, Collison announced his retirement, not due to injury or declining performance, but because of his commitment to Jehovah’s Witnesses, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Collison surprisingly announced his retirement from the NBA in 2019 at the age of 31, citing religious motivations, per SurpriseSports.
He walked away from a multimillion-dollar contract to focus fully on his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, per Medium, December 2, 2025.
Collison is very open about being a Jehovah’s Witness, and he has done interviews about it, per LeatHeling.
His career averages were 12.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, over 419 games, per DraftSchedule.
He retired after 419 games for preaching, and he returned for the 2020 bubble, per DraftSchedule, but he did not resume a full career.
Collison’s retirement at age 31 remains one of the NBA’s biggest what-ifs, ditching prime years for Jehovah’s Witness ministry, per DraftSchedule.
Danny Granger
Danny Granger was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household but was not baptized during his playing career, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He formally joined the faith through baptism approximately two years after his final NBA season, which ended in 2015, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Granger was baptized in 2017 after retiring from the NBA, and the faith of his childhood was Jehovah’s Witness, per Gill.
He played ten NBA seasons, from 2005 to 2015, and he was a 2010 All-Star and a cornerstone scorer for the Pacers, per DraftSchedule.
His career averages were 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, per DraftSchedule.
Granger was raised with Witness influences and family ties, and those beliefs shaped him on and off the court, per ThinkDesignBlog.
Danny has stayed completely silent on the Brittany Schmitt story, and he does not do many interviews anymore, per LeatHeling.
Danny has never confirmed it himself, but he has never denied it either, per LeatHeling, so do not present him as confirmed.
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon’s path to the NBA was shaped directly by his family’s religious beliefs, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
His mother, a devoted Jehovah’s Witness, actively discouraged him from playing basketball, fearing the sport would pull him away from his faith, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Dedmon was raised in a household by Jehovah’s Witnesses and his mother forbade him from playing basketball, per SurpriseSports.
He pursued basketball against the wishes of his devout Jehovah’s Witness mother, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
His current practice is UNCONFIRMED, so this page presents him as raised in the faith, never as currently practicing, without a primary source.
His career averages were 8.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, over 513 games and 9 teams, per DraftSchedule.
He played ten NBA seasons, from 2013 to 2023, per DraftSchedule, and he was a late bloomer at 18, per DraftSchedule.
LeatHeling says Dedmon was still playing in 2025 for the Miami Heat, but DraftSchedule says his last season was 2023, so present the years by source.
Two Widely Documented Players
Two more players are widely documented, but the documentation is thinner, older, or second-hand, so they sit in Tier 2, not Tier 1.
Dave Meyers retired early for his faith and family, and A.C. Green is widely linked to the faith, but his case is disputed.
Present both as widely documented, never as reliably documented, and present Green’s case as disputed, never as confirmed.
Dave Meyers
Dave Meyers was a highly committed Jehovah’s Witness ex-NBA player, per Outer Beaches, and he quit his career early to commit to his family and his faith.
Meyers, a former UCLA and NBA player, quit his career early to commit to his family and his faith, per SportsGeeks.
He retired from basketball in 1980 to focus on his family and his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness, per Ranyy.
He played five NBA seasons, from 1975 to 1980, and he was a Lakers draftee who signed with the Bucks, per Gill.
He retired in 1976 to practice his Jehovah’s Witness faith more, per Gill, citing Basketball Reference, but Ranyy says he retired in 1980, so present the years by source.
The former NBA player passed away in 2015 at 62, succumbing to cancer, per Outer Beaches.
Meyers is one of the most widely documented names, but the documentation is older and thinner than Collison’s, so he sits in Tier 2.
A.C. Green
A.C. Green is occasionally linked to the denomination as well, but reliable sources associate him with evangelical Christianity rather than Jehovah’s Witnesses specifically, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Green was known for his devout Christian faith and public commitment to celibacy during his playing career, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
A.C. Green represents the most public example of an active NBA player practicing as a Jehovah’s Witness, per SurpriseSports, but that claim is disputed by Medium.
Green carried his virginity all the way to 2002, a year after he had retired having won three NBA championship rings with Showtime Lakers, per Gill.
He played 16 seasons in the NBA, from 1985 to 2001, and achieved three championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, per Outer Beaches.
A devout Christian, Green was known for his strong religious beliefs and commitment to celibacy until marriage, aligning with Jehovah’s Witnesses’ principles, per Ranyy.
Aligning with the principles is not the same as being a member, so present Green as disputed, never as confirmed, and cite Medium.
Names That Are Disputed or False
Several online sources have associated additional NBA figures with Jehovah’s Witnesses, but these claims are either unverified or inaccurate, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is sometimes listed as a Jehovah’s Witness, but this is factually wrong, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Muslim, not a Jehovah’s Witness, and listing him as a Witness is a factual error, so never do it.
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is Muslim, not a Jehovah’s Witness, per keyword 167, and listing him as a Witness is a factual error, so never do it.
Manute Bol is falsely listed as a Witness in some sources, per keyword 167, and there is no credible evidence for the claim.
Alonzo Mourning is falsely listed as a Witness in some sources, per keyword 167, and there is no credible evidence for the claim.
Lloyd Sweet Pea Daniels appears in some articles as a supposed convert, but no major biographical account or credible reporting confirms this affiliation, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Michael Adams, Mark Jackson, Detlef Schrempf, Greg Ostertag, and Reggie Theus are listed by low-authority sources, but the claims are unverified, so never present them as fact.
| Player | Claim | Verdict | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kareem Abdul-Jabbar | Jehovah’s Witness | False, Muslim | Medium, Feb 25, 2026 |
| Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf | Jehovah’s Witness | False, Muslim | Keyword 167 |
| Manute Bol | Jehovah’s Witness | False, no evidence | Keyword 167 |
| Alonzo Mourning | Jehovah’s Witness | False, no evidence | Keyword 167 |
| Lloyd Daniels | Jehovah’s Witness | Unverified, no credible reporting | Medium, Feb 25, 2026 |
| Michael Adams | Jehovah’s Witness | Unverified | SurpriseSports |
| Mark Jackson | Jehovah’s Witness | Unverified | SurpriseSports |
| Detlef Schrempf | Jehovah’s Witness | Unverified | SurpriseSports |
| Greg Ostertag | Jehovah’s Witness | Unverified | Legit.ng |
| Reggie Theus | Jehovah’s Witness | Unverified | Legit.ng |
This false names table comes from Medium, February 25, 2026, SurpriseSports, Legit.ng, and the keyword 167 research, as seen on November 10, 2026.
Do not list any of these names as Jehovah’s Witnesses, because the claims are false or unverified, and listing them would mislead readers.
The Counts Conflict: Why There Is No Official Number
Counts conflict by source, and no official count exists, per Medium, February 25, 2026, so this page shows each count with its source and date, and never merges them.
SurpriseSports says at least 8 to 10 former NBA players have confirmed connections to the Jehovah’s Witness faith, per SurpriseSports.
SurpriseSports also says at least 5 former NBA players have confirmed connections, based on verified sources with documentation standards, per SurpriseSports.
SportsGeeks says at least a dozen former NBA players are known to have embraced this faith, per SportsGeeks.
Outer Beaches says the National Basketball Association lists 14 ex-players who are or were Jehovah’s Witnesses over the years, per Outer Beaches.
That Outer Beaches claim is false, because no such NBA list exists, so do not repeat it as fact.
WikiBiography says about 10 former NBA players have become Jehovah’s Witnesses, and it gives percentages such as 75 percent and 30 percent, per WikiBiography.
Those WikiBiography percentages are invented and unsourced, so do not use them, and do not present them as fact.
The honest answer is at least three are well-documented, with more claimed by low-authority sources, but no official count exists, so the exact number is unknown.
| Source | Count claimed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Medium, Feb 25, 2026 | 3 | Most reliably documented |
| SurpriseSports | 5 | Verified sources, documentation standards |
| SurpriseSports | 8-10 | Confirmed connections, unverified |
| SportsGeeks | At least a dozen | Unverified |
| Outer Beaches | 14 | False, no NBA list exists |
| WikiBiography | About 10 | Unverified, percentages invented |
This counts table comes from Medium, SurpriseSports, SportsGeeks, Outer Beaches, and WikiBiography, as seen on November 10, 2026.
The Brittany Schmitt Story
The topic gained renewed public attention in 2025 after comedian Brittany Schmitt’s comedy special referenced dating a former NBA player who became a Jehovah’s Witness, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Brittany Schmitt told the story on the Y’all Know What It Is podcast and later included an even longer version in her stand-up special called From Ho to Housewife, per LeatHeling.
He told her he had become a Jehovah’s Witness and needed her to repent with him, because of all the things they did together back in the day, per LeatHeling.
Brittany has never said the name, but every clue she gave, All-Star, light-skinned, played for the Pacers, very tall, points to Danny Granger, per LeatHeling.
Most fans are 99 percent sure it is him, per LeatHeling, but that is a fan guess, not a confirmation, so do not present it as fact.
Danny has never confirmed it himself, but he has never denied it either, per LeatHeling, so the story remains unconfirmed.
Brittany says yes, the call really happened, per LeatHeling, but the identity of the player remains unconfirmed.
So when people ask how many ex NBA players are Jehovah Witness, the honest answer is two retired plus one active, per LeatHeling, but that framing is from 2025, before Dedmon’s last season.
There are no secret fourth or fifth players, no Cousin Keith, no white players, and all of that is internet jokes, per LeatHeling.
Cousin Keith is a fictional gag from the comedy bit, with no verified cousin Keith, per DraftSchedule, so do not present him as a real person.
Faith stayed core, no self-celebrations, post-career baptism, and the viral twist sparked endless memes without real family proof, per DraftSchedule.
What Do Jehovah’s Witnesses Believe?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination known for door-to-door evangelism, refusal of blood transfusions, and political neutrality, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Door-to-door evangelism means members go from house to house to share their faith, and Collison retired to focus on ministry, per DraftSchedule.
Refusal of blood transfusions means members do not accept blood transfusions, even in a medical emergency, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Political neutrality means members do not vote, run for office, or serve in the military, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays, and Dedmon reportedly skips birthday cake in the locker room, per LeatHeling.
Global JW membership hit 8.8 million in 2024, per WikiBiography, competitor-reported, so re-check the figure on the official site before you repeat it.
These beliefs can create unique challenges for professional athletes, explaining why as of 2025, no active NBA players are publicly confirmed as Jehovah’s Witnesses, per SurpriseSports.
The beliefs shape game-day routines, family dynamics, and career decisions, because the faith asks members to put ministry and family first, per DraftSchedule.
Related Sports on SportsVell
Readers who want another sports hub can read India vs South Africa match scorecard for the full score and results.
Readers who want football can read who won Monday Night Football for the latest result.
Readers who want soccer can read how many players on a soccer team for the 2026 guide.
Readers who want football timing can read how long is a football game for NFL, college, and high school times.
Readers who want college pay can read do college football players get paid for the full guide.
Career Stats: The Three Reliably Documented Players
The table below gives the career stats for the three reliably documented players, with each figure labelled by source.
Collison played ten seasons, Granger played ten seasons, and Dedmon played ten seasons, so all three had long careers.
Granger was the best scorer, with 15.2 points per game, while Collison was the best passer, with 5.1 assists per game.
Dedmon was the best rebounder, with 6.1 rebounds per game, while Granger was second, with 4.8 rebounds per game.
| Player | Seasons | Games | Points per game | Rebounds per game | Assists per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darren Collison | 2009-2019 | 419 | 12.3 | 2.3 | 5.1 |
| Danny Granger | 2005-2015 | Not stated in summary | 15.2 | 4.8 | 2.0 |
| Dewayne Dedmon | 2013-2023 | 513 | 8.0 | 6.1 | 0.8 |
This career stats table comes from DraftSchedule, as seen on November 10, 2026, and the figures are competitor-reported.
Granger’s games total was not in the search results, so this page does not invent it, and it says so plainly.
Darren Collison: Career in Detail
Darren Collison was drafted by the New Orleans Hornets, and he played his first NBA season in 2009, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He played for the Hornets, Mavericks, Clippers, Pacers, and Kings, and he was a starter for much of his career, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He was a key guard for the Pacers, Kings, and Clippers, and he was known for his speed, his passing, and his defence, per ThinkDesignBlog.
He retired in June 2019 at age 31, not due to injury or declining performance, but because of his commitment to Jehovah’s Witnesses, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He walked away from a multimillion-dollar contract, and that decision shocked the league, because he was still a starter, per LeatHeling.
He returned for the 2020 bubble, per DraftSchedule, but he did not resume a full career, and he remains retired.
His retirement is the most cited example of faith over fortune in the NBA, because he gave up prime years for ministry.
He is very open about being a Jehovah’s Witness, and he has done interviews about it, per LeatHeling.
Danny Granger: Career in Detail
Danny Granger was drafted by the Indiana Pacers, and he played his first NBA season in 2005, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He was a 2010 All-Star, and he was a cornerstone scorer for the Pacers, per DraftSchedule.
He played ten NBA seasons, from 2005 to 2015, and he was the Pacers’ best player for much of that time, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household but was not baptized during his playing career, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He formally joined the faith through baptism approximately two years after his final NBA season, which ended in 2015, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He was baptized in 2017 after retiring from the NBA, and the faith of his childhood was Jehovah’s Witness, per Gill.
His career averages were 15.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, per DraftSchedule.
He has stayed completely silent on the Brittany Schmitt story, and he does not do many interviews anymore, per LeatHeling.
Dewayne Dedmon: Career in Detail
Dewayne Dedmon was a late bloomer at 18, versus his mother’s wishes, and he did not start playing basketball until late, per DraftSchedule.
His mother, a devoted Jehovah’s Witness, actively discouraged him from playing basketball, fearing the sport would pull him away from his faith, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
He played ten NBA seasons, from 2013 to 2023, with 513 games and 9 teams, per DraftSchedule.
He was a defense and rebounding specialist, and he was known for his size, his shot blocking, and his work ethic, per ThinkDesignBlog.
His career averages were 8.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, per DraftSchedule.
He reportedly skips birthday cake in the locker room, because Jehovah’s Witnesses do not celebrate birthdays, per LeatHeling.
His current practice is UNCONFIRMED, so this page presents him as raised in the faith, never as currently practicing, without a primary source.
LeatHeling says he was still playing in 2025 for the Miami Heat, but DraftSchedule says his last season was 2023, so present the years by source.
Religion in the NBA: The Wider Picture
The NBA has had thousands of players, but only a handful have openly identified with the faith, per ThinkDesignBlog.
Most NBA players belong to a major religion, and Christianity is the most common, but Jehovah’s Witnesses are a small minority.
Over 70 percent of active players belong to organized religions, more than the general public, according to ESPN’s 2023 athlete lifestyle report, per WikiBiography.
That ESPN figure is competitor-reported, per WikiBiography, so re-check it on ESPN’s own site before you repeat it.
Faith shapes careers in different ways, from Collison retiring early, to Granger converting after retirement, to Dedmon starting late because of his mother.
Some players, like A.C. Green, are known for their devout Christian faith and public commitment to celibacy, even if their denomination is disputed.
Some players, like Dikembe Mutombo, are the only ex-NBA player to openly share his faith, per WikiBiography, but that claim is competitor-reported, so re-check it.
Religion in the NBA is a private matter for most players, and the public list will always be incomplete, because many players choose not to discuss it.
What the Sources Say: A Source-by-Source Guide
Medium, February 25, 2026, is the best source, because it tiers the names, corrects the false names, and discloses that no official count exists.
SurpriseSports is the best long list, because it gives the quick answer, the complete list, and the no current player answer as of August 6, 2025.
SurpriseSports also gives the 8 to 10 claim, but that claim is unverified, so do not present it as fact, and present it by source.
LeatHeling is the best Brittany page, because it gives the three profiles, the table, and the Granger guess, with the sourcing discipline.
LeatHeling says most fans are 99 percent sure it is Granger, but that is a fan guess, not a confirmation, so do not present it as fact.
DraftSchedule is the best table page, because it gives the career averages, the faith journey, and the cousin Keith correction.
ThinkDesignBlog is the best short page, because it gives the three well-documented names, the table, and the FAQ, in a short format.
Legit.ng is the best photos page, because it gives the list, the stories, and the photos, but it lists unverified names, so check each one.
SportsGeeks gives the dozen claim, but that claim is unverified, so do not present it as fact, and present it by source.
Outer Beaches gives the 14 claim, but that claim is false, because no NBA list exists, so do not repeat it as fact.
WikiBiography gives percentages, but those percentages are invented and unsourced, so do not use them, and do not present them as fact.
Ranyy gives the FAQ, but it presents Green as a Witness, while Medium disputes that, so present Green as disputed, never as confirmed.
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing About This Topic
Mistake 1: listing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as a Jehovah’s Witness, because he is Muslim, not a Witness, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Mistake 2: listing Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf as a Jehovah’s Witness, because he is Muslim, not a Witness, per keyword 167.
Mistake 3: presenting A.C. Green as a confirmed Witness, because reliable sources associate him with evangelical Christianity, not Jehovah’s Witnesses specifically, per Medium.
Mistake 4: presenting Dewayne Dedmon as currently practicing, because his current practice is UNCONFIRMED, so present him as raised in the faith.
Mistake 5: presenting Danny Granger as confirmed by the Brittany Schmitt story, because Granger has never confirmed or denied it, and Schmitt never named him.
Mistake 6: presenting Cousin Keith as a real person, because he is a fictional gag from the comedy bit, per DraftSchedule.
Mistake 7: repeating the Outer Beaches 14 claim, because no NBA list exists, so the claim is false.
Mistake 8: repeating the WikiBiography percentages, because they are invented and unsourced, so do not use them.
Mistake 9: merging the counts, because the counts conflict by source, and no official count exists, so present each count by source.
Mistake 10: presenting a fan guess as a confirmation, because a fan guess is not evidence, and it can mislead readers.
Key Takeaways
Three former NBA players are most commonly identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon.
No current NBA player is publicly confirmed as a Jehovah’s Witness, as of August 6, 2025, per SurpriseSports.
Collison retired at 31 in 2019 for his faith and family, and he is the most open about his faith.
Granger was baptized about two years after his final season, and he has never confirmed or denied the Brittany Schmitt story.
Dedmon was raised by a devout mother who discouraged basketball, but his current practice is UNCONFIRMED.
A.C. Green is disputed, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Muslim, and Cousin Keith is a fictional gag.
No official count exists, so the exact number is unknown, and the honest answer is at least three are well-documented.
When in doubt, check the player’s own words first, because the player’s own statement is the only evidence that settles the question.
How to Verify a Player’s Religion
Faith is private, so verification matters, and this page shows how to check a claim before you repeat it.
Step 1: look for the player’s own words, in an interview, a retirement statement, or a memoir, because the player’s own words are the best evidence.
Step 2: look for a primary interview, not a list page, because a list page may copy another list page without checking.
Step 3: look for the date, because a player’s faith can change, and a claim from 2010 may not be true in 2026.
Step 4: look for a second source, because one source can be wrong, and two independent sources are stronger than one.
Step 5: if no primary source exists, say so, and present the claim as unverified, never as fact.
Step 6: if the claim is disputed by a reliable source, present the dispute, and do not present the claim as fact.
Step 7: if the claim is false, say so, and name the player’s actual faith, if it is known, with a source.
Step 8: if the player has never confirmed or denied the claim, say so, and do not present a fan guess as a confirmation.
Why Faith Is Hard to Count in the NBA
The NBA has had thousands of players, but only a handful have openly identified with the faith, per ThinkDesignBlog.
Over 70 percent of active players belong to organized religions, more than the general public, according to ESPN’s 2023 athlete lifestyle report, per WikiBiography.
That ESPN figure is competitor-reported, per WikiBiography, so re-check it on ESPN’s own site before you repeat it.
Faith is private, and many players choose not to discuss it, so the public list is always incomplete, per ThinkDesignBlog.
Some players practice privately, and they may never speak publicly about their faith, so they will never appear on a list.
Some players are raised in a faith, but they do not practice it as adults, so they should not be listed as members.
Some players convert after retirement, like Granger, who was baptized about two years after his final season, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Some players retire early for their faith, like Collison, who retired at 31, and Meyers, who retired early, per Medium and Ranyy.
The exact number is unknown, because no official count exists, and faith is private, so the honest answer is at least three are well-documented.
NBA Players Who Are Jehovah’s Witnesses FAQs
Answers below use the sources in this article, including SurpriseSports, DraftSchedule, Legit.ng, and ThinkDesignBlog.
How many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Three former NBA players are most commonly identified as Jehovah’s Witnesses: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Who are the NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon are the three most reliably documented, with Dave Meyers and A.C. Green widely documented but less certain.
Are there any current NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
No, as of August 6, 2025, no confirmed current NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, per SurpriseSports.
Why did Darren Collison retire?
He retired in June 2019 at age 31, citing his faith and family as more important than basketball, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
How many seasons did Darren Collison play?
Ten NBA seasons, from 2009 to 2019, with the Hornets, Mavericks, Clippers, Pacers, and Kings, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Was Danny Granger a Jehovah’s Witness?
He was raised in the faith and was baptized about two years after his final NBA season, which ended in 2015, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
When was Danny Granger baptized?
About two years after his final NBA season, which ended in 2015, so about 2017, per Medium, February 25, 2026, and Gill.
How many seasons did Danny Granger play?
Ten NBA seasons, from 2005 to 2015, with the Pacers as his main team, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Was Danny Granger an All-Star?
Yes, he was a 2010 All-Star, and he was a cornerstone scorer for the Pacers, per DraftSchedule.
Is Dewayne Dedmon a Jehovah’s Witness?
He was raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household by his devout mother, who discouraged basketball, but his current practice is UNCONFIRMED.
How many seasons did Dewayne Dedmon play?
Ten NBA seasons, from 2013 to 2023, with 513 games and 9 teams, per DraftSchedule.
Is Dave Meyers a Jehovah’s Witness?
He is widely documented as a Jehovah’s Witness, and he retired early to commit to his family and his faith, per Legit.ng and SportsGeeks.
When did Dave Meyers retire?
He retired in 1980, after five seasons from 1975 to 1980, to focus on his family and his faith, per Ranyy.
Is A.C. Green a Jehovah’s Witness?
Disputed: reliable sources associate Green with evangelical Christianity, not Jehovah’s Witnesses specifically, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
How many seasons did A.C. Green play?
Sixteen NBA seasons, from 1985 to 2001, with three championships with the Lakers, per Legit.ng.
Is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar a Jehovah’s Witness?
No, this is factually wrong; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is Muslim, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Is Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf a Jehovah’s Witness?
No, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is Muslim, per keyword 167.
Is Manute Bol a Jehovah’s Witness?
No, Manute Bol is falsely listed as a Witness in some sources, per keyword 167.
Is Alonzo Mourning a Jehovah’s Witness?
No, Alonzo Mourning is falsely listed as a Witness in some sources, per keyword 167.
Who is Cousin Keith?
Cousin Keith is a fictional gag from Brittany Schmitt’s comedy bit, with no verified cousin Keith, per DraftSchedule.
What did Brittany Schmitt say about the ex NBA player?
She told a story on the Y’all Know What It Is podcast and in her special From Ho to Housewife about dating a former NBA player who became a Jehovah’s Witness, per LeatHeling.
Did Danny Granger confirm he is a Jehovah’s Witness?
No, Danny Granger has never confirmed it himself, and he has never denied it either, per LeatHeling.
Did Brittany Schmitt name the player?
No, Brittany Schmitt has never said the name, per LeatHeling.
What do Jehovah’s Witnesses believe?
They are a Christian denomination known for door-to-door evangelism, refusal of blood transfusions, and political neutrality, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Is there an official count of NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
No, no official count exists, per Medium, February 25, 2026.
Conclusion
NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses number three in the most reliably documented list: Darren Collison, Danny Granger, and Dewayne Dedmon.
No current NBA player is publicly confirmed as a Jehovah’s Witness, as of August 6, 2025, per SurpriseSports, and all known cases are former players.
Collison retired at 31 in 2019 for his faith and family, Granger was baptized about two years after his final season in 2015, and Dedmon was raised by a devout mother who discouraged basketball.
Dave Meyers retired early for his faith and family, and A.C. Green is disputed, because reliable sources associate him with evangelical Christianity, not Jehovah’s Witnesses specifically.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf are Muslim, not Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Manute Bol and Alonzo Mourning have no credible evidence linking them to the faith.
The Brittany Schmitt story is unconfirmed, because Schmitt never named the player, and Granger has never confirmed or denied it.
Cousin Keith is a fictional gag, with no verified cousin Keith, per DraftSchedule.
Sources used for this page include Medium, SurpriseSports, DraftSchedule, Legit.ng, and ThinkDesignBlog, with claims verified on November 10, 2026.
Re-check every claim on the day you publish, because a player could speak publicly and change the answer, and your source controls.
Last updated on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, and this page will be updated when a player speaks publicly and changes the answer.
