How many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? A surprising answer
Jehovah’s Witnesses are a Christian denomination that originated in the 1870s and has over 100,000 congregations worldwide. They are known for their distinctive beliefs and practices, such as rejecting blood transfusions, celebrating the memorial of Christ’s death instead of Easter and Christmas, and preaching door-to-door. But did you know that some of the NBA players are also Jehovah’s Witnesses? In this article, we will explore how many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses and who they are.
The current NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness
As of 2023, there is only one current NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness. He is Dewayne Dedmon, a 7-foot center who plays for the Miami Heat. Dedmon was raised in a household by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but his mother forbade him from playing basketball. He was skinny and uncoached as a teenager, but he worked hard and eventually made it to the NBA. He has played for several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers, the Orlando Magic, the Atlanta Hawks, and the Sacramento Kings. He has not won a championship yet, but he is one of the best role players in the league.
The former NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses
There are two former NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses. They are Danny Granger and Darren Collison, who both played for the Indiana Pacers at some point in their careers.
Danny Granger was a star forward who spent nine seasons with the Pacers. He was one of the best scorers on the team and made an All-Star appearance in 2009. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat, but he could not win a ring. Granger was raised in a religious household by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but he was not baptized until 2017, two years after his final season in the NBA.
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Darren Collison was a point guard who played in the NBA from 2009 to 2019. He spent four years with the Pacers and three years with the Sacramento Kings. He also played for Dallas, New Orleans, and both Los Angeles teams. He was a solid playmaker and shooter who averaged 12.5 points and 5 assists per game in his career. In 2019, he decided to retire at age 31 to focus on his family and his faith. He said that he still loved basketball, but there was something more important to him. He briefly returned to the NBA in December 2021 and signed a 10-day contract with the Lakers, but he only played in three games and was not re-signed.
The comedian who dated an ex-NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness
There is also an interesting story about a comedian who dated an ex-NBA player who is a Jehovah’s Witness. Her name is Brittany Schmitt, and she released her first full-length comedy special on YouTube in July 2023. In her set, she told a hilarious story about how her ex contacted her after they broke up to tell her that he is now a Jehovah’s Witness and that she should repent. She also shared some very NSFW anecdotes about their relationship.
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She did not reveal his name, but she gave some clues that implied that he is Danny Granger. She said that he is light-skinned and has a cousin named Keith. She also said that there are only two ex-NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, which is not true according to Google, but it could be a joke or a mistake on her part.
Conclusion
So how many NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses? The answer is three: one current player and two former players. They are Dewayne Dedmon, Danny Granger, and Darren Collison. They have different stories and backgrounds, but they share a common faith that influences their lives on and off the court.
