One of the most interesting questions about religion in professional basketball is how many former NBA players are Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The answer is smaller than many fans expect, largely because very few players have publicly discussed their religious beliefs throughout their careers.
There is no official NBA record tracking players by religion, making verified reporting especially important.
Over the years, a handful of current and former players have openly spoken about being Jehovah’s Witnesses, being raised in the faith, or choosing to devote more time to their religious commitments after leaving professional basketball.
Some, including Darren Collison, made headlines after stepping away from the NBA while still playing at a high level. Others, such as David Meyers, retired decades earlier to focus on family life and religious service.
Players like Danny Granger have also publicly spoken about their upbringing within Jehovah’s Witnesses before later being baptized.
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How Many Ex-Nba Players Are Jehovah’s Witnesses?
Based on verified interviews, NBA records and public statements, five players have confirmed and well-documented ties to be Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Dewayne Dedmon
Dewayne Dedmon’s path to the NBA is unlike almost any other player’s. Long before becoming a veteran center in professional basketball, he grew up in a household where organized sports were discouraged because of his mother’s commitment to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
He faced significant challenges during childhood. His father died by suicide when he was just three years old, leaving his mother, Gail Lewis, to raise the family.
Lewis was a devoted Jehovah’s Witness and believed that participation in competitive sports could distract from religious priorities. Because of those beliefs, Dedmon was not allowed to play organized basketball during his teenage years.
Standing well over six feet tall while still in high school, he regularly attracted attention from coaches who believed he had professional potential.
His mother, however, refused to let him join school teams or youth basketball programs. Dedmon has openly discussed how difficult that period was, explaining that he often watched other teenagers play while he remained on the sidelines.
His opportunity finally arrived after finishing high school. With the support of friends and mentors, Dedmon began playing basketball at local community colleges, first at Antelope Valley College before transferring to the University of Southern California and later Southern Miss.
Because he started the sport so much later than most elite prospects, he had to develop fundamental skills at an accelerated pace.
Despite his limited experience, NBA scouts were intrigued by his athleticism, mobility and seven-foot frame.
Dedmon went undrafted in the 2013 NBA Draft but refused to give up on his professional ambitions.
He earned opportunities through the NBA Summer League and training camps before signing with the Golden State Warriors.
Although he appeared only briefly for the Warriors, the experience opened the door to a long NBA career.
He later played for several franchises, including the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers.
Across more than a decade in the league, Dedmon established himself as a reliable defensive center known for his rebounding, shot blocking and ability to stretch the floor with perimeter shooting.
His journey from a player who never competed in high school basketball to a long-serving NBA veteran is widely regarded as one of the league’s most remarkable development stories.
Dedmon has spoken publicly about being raised in a Jehovah’s Witness household and the influence it had on his upbringing.
His mother’s faith shaped the earliest years of his life by limiting his exposure to organized basketball. That difficult beginning ultimately became one of the defining chapters of his career.
By reaching the NBA despite starting the sport years later than most professionals, Dedmon demonstrated remarkable perseverance.
His success is often cited as proof that determination and patience can overcome an unconventional path to elite competition.
Although his relationship with Jehovah’s Witnesses has remained largely private during his professional career, his upbringing remains one of the best-documented examples of how religion influenced the early life of an NBA player before he reached the league.
Darren Collison
Darren Collison became the most prominent modern example of an NBA player whose religious convictions influenced a major career decision.
His retirement in 2019 surprised league executives and fans alike because he stepped away while still regarded as one of the NBA’s most dependable veteran point guards.
Collison established himself as one of the top point guards in college basketball at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Playing under coach Ben Howland, he helped the Bruins reach three consecutive Final Four appearances between 2006 and 2008 alongside future NBA players such as Russell Westbrook, Kevin Love and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute.
The New Orleans Hornets selected Collison with the 21st overall pick in the 2009 NBA Draft. He made an immediate impression during his rookie season, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors after averaging 12.4 points and 5.7 assists.
His speed, efficient decision making and ability to protect the basketball quickly made him one of the league’s most reliable floor generals.
Over the next decade, Collison played for the Indiana Pacers, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers, Sacramento Kings and again for the Pacers.
He never reached All-Star status, but he developed a reputation as one of the NBA’s steadiest veteran guards. Between 2017 and 2019, he averaged more than 11 points and six assists while shooting over 40 percent from three-point range, making him one of the league’s most efficient starting point guards.
His biggest headline came away from the court. On June 28, 2019, Collison announced his retirement from professional basketball at just 31 years old.
In a statement published by The Players’ Tribune, he explained that his decision was driven by his desire to dedicate more time to his faith as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
He wrote: “While I still love basketball, I know there is something more important, which is my family and my faith.”
Collison also described the satisfaction he found in volunteer ministry, explaining that helping others through his religious work had become more meaningful than continuing his NBA career.
His announcement came despite reported interest from multiple playoff contenders, including the Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers, both of whom viewed him as one of the best remaining free agents.
His retirement generated widespread discussion across the NBA because few players voluntarily leave the league while still capable of starting for championship contenders.
Collison briefly returned to basketball in December 2021, signing a 10-day hardship contract with the Los Angeles Lakers during the league’s COVID-19 roster shortages.
The move was widely viewed as temporary, and after the contract expired, he returned to private life without pursuing another full-time NBA comeback.
He later also spent time with the Lakers’ G League affiliate, the South Bay Lakers, during workouts, but did not resume a long-term NBA career.
His story remains unique in modern professional basketball. Most players retire because of age, injury or declining performance.
Collison instead chose to step away during his prime because he believed his responsibilities to his family and his faith deserved greater priority than continuing his NBA career.
Today, he remains one of the most frequently cited examples of a professional athlete openly discussing how Jehovah’s Witnesses shaped one of the defining decisions of his life.
David Meyers
David Meyers is one of the earliest and most significant examples of a professional basketball player whose commitment to Jehovah’s Witnesses influenced his career.
His retirement remains one of the most surprising decisions in NBA history because it came shortly after he established himself as one of the league’s promising young guards.
Meyers later moved to California, where he became one of the state’s standout high school players. He went on to play for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) under the legendary coach John Wooden during one of the most successful periods in college basketball history.
At UCLA, Meyers played alongside future Hall of Famers and helped the Bruins continue their dominance of the NCAA.
During his senior season in 1974–75, he captained the team and was named a consensus First Team All-American after averaging more than 18 points per game.
He also received the prestigious Academic All-America award, reflecting both his athletic and academic achievements.
His performances made him one of the most sought-after prospects entering the 1975 NBA Draft.
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Meyers with the second overall pick, immediately behind future Hall of Famer David Thompson.
Before playing a regular season game for the Lakers, however, he became part of one of the biggest trades in franchise history.
Los Angeles sent Meyers, Brian Winters, Elmore Smith and Junior Bridgeman to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Kareem Abdul Jabbar.
The blockbuster deal reshaped both franchises and remains one of the most important trades in NBA history. Meyers quickly became Milwaukee’s starting point guard and enjoyed an outstanding rookie season.
He averaged 13.7 points, 7.6 assists and nearly two steals per game while earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors.
His intelligence, passing ability and leadership helped stabilize the Bucks during a period of transition following Abdul Jabbar’s departure. Over the next several seasons, Meyers developed into one of Milwaukee’s most dependable guards.
He appeared in the 1978 NBA All-Star Game and helped lead the Bucks to multiple playoff appearances under coach Don Nelson.
By 1980, Meyers appeared set to enjoy many more productive seasons. Instead, he made a decision that shocked the basketball world. At just 27 years old, Meyers retired from the NBA after five seasons.
He explained that he wanted to devote more time to his family and to his responsibilities as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
His retirement echoed the values that would later be cited by Darren Collison nearly four decades later.
Basketball had provided him with financial security and professional success, but he believed his faith deserved greater priority than continuing his NBA career.
Following retirement, Meyers remained active within his congregation while working in business and community service.
He stayed largely out of the public spotlight, rarely seeking media attention despite his accomplishments as a former NBA All-Star.
Meyers died on October 9, 2015, at the age of 62 after battling cancer. His passing prompted tributes from the Milwaukee Bucks, UCLA and former teammates, who remembered both his basketball intelligence and his character away from the court.
His legacy extends beyond statistics. Meyers demonstrated that personal convictions could outweigh professional success, making him one of the earliest NBA players to prioritize his religious beliefs over a flourishing career publicly.
His story continues to be cited whenever discussions arise about former NBA players connected to Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Willie Wise
Willie Wise built one of the most respected careers in the history of the American Basketball Association (ABA), becoming a multiple-time All-Star before eventually embracing life away from professional basketball as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses.
He developed into one of the country’s top high school prospects before continuing his basketball career at Drake University. At Drake, he emerged as one of college basketball’s leading scorers and helped transform the Bulldogs into a nationally competitive program.
His performances earned All-Missouri Valley Conference honors and attracted significant interest from professional teams during the late 1960s.
Wise entered professional basketball in 1969 by joining the Los Angeles Stars of the ABA, one of the NBA’s biggest rivals during that era.
The ABA quickly became known for its fast-paced style, three-point shooting and entertainment-focused approach. Wise fit perfectly into that environment.
Nicknamed “Wondrous Willie,” he became one of the league’s premier two-way forwards thanks to his athleticism, rebounding and defensive versatility.
During the 1969–70 season, he helped lead the Stars to the ABA Finals before the franchise relocated to Utah. With the Utah Stars, Wise reached the peak of his career.
In 1971, he helped Utah win the ABA Championship by defeating the Kentucky Colonels in the Finals. Wise played a crucial role throughout the postseason and established himself as one of the league’s elite players.
Across his ABA career, he earned:
- Two ABA championships.
- Three ABA All-Star selections.
- Multiple All-ABA Team honors.
- ABA All Defensive Team recognition.
When the ABA merged with the NBA in 1976, Wise joined the Denver Nuggets for the league’s inaugural post-merger season.
Although already approaching the later stages of his career, he remained an important veteran presence before retiring from professional basketball.
His achievements were later recognized when he was selected to the ABA All-Time Team, honoring the greatest players in league history.
Wise’s connection to Jehovah’s Witnesses became one of the defining parts of his life after basketball. Throughout interviews over the years, he has spoken openly about how his faith became increasingly important during and after his playing career.
He eventually devoted significant time to congregation activities and public ministry, embracing the values of Jehovah’s Witnesses following retirement.
Stories have circulated for decades suggesting Wise was reluctant to pursue certain professional opportunities because of his religious beliefs.
While some versions claim he told NBA teams he would prioritize becoming one of Jehovah’s Witnesses over professional basketball, there is no reliable contemporary evidence confirming that statement.
Verified accounts instead show that Wise fully embraced his faith after establishing a distinguished professional career.
His post-basketball life reflected the same discipline that defined his years on the court. Friends and former teammates have often described him as thoughtful, humble and deeply committed to his beliefs.
Wise has also remained involved in preserving the history of the ABA, participating in league reunions and basketball heritage events while continuing to keep a relatively private personal life.
His basketball résumé alone places him among the greatest players in ABA history.
His commitment to Jehovah’s Witnesses after retirement has added another dimension to his legacy, making him one of the most notable former professional basketball players whose life has been shaped by his religious convictions.
Danny Granger
Danny Granger remains one of the most accomplished former NBA players connected to Jehovah’s Witnesses. The former Indiana Pacers star built an All-Star career before publicly speaking about his faith after retirement.
He played college basketball at Bradley University before transferring to the University of New Mexico, where he developed into one of the country’s top forwards.
His combination of scoring ability, defensive versatility and leadership made him one of the leading prospects entering the 2005 NBA Draft.
Indiana selected Granger with the 17th overall pick, and he quickly became the cornerstone of the franchise during a rebuilding period. His breakthrough arrived during the 2008–09 season when he averaged more than 25 points per game and earned his first NBA All-Star selection.
For several years, Granger ranked among the league’s most productive forwards, leading the Pacers in scoring while helping return the franchise to playoff contention. Persistent knee injuries eventually slowed his career.
He later spent brief periods with the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before retiring in 2015.
Granger’s connection to Jehovah’s Witnesses stretches back to childhood. He has said he was raised in the faith and later chose to be baptized after retiring from professional basketball in 2017.
In public comments, he has described how his religious beliefs helped him manage the pressure of competing in the NBA. His experience differs from Darren Collison’s because Granger did not retire specifically because of religion.
Basketball remained his primary profession throughout his career before he devoted more time to his faith following retirement.
His story remains one of the clearest examples of a successful NBA All-Star maintaining a long-standing connection to Jehovah’s Witnesses while competing at the highest level.
The number of former NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses depends on how the term is defined. Some were raised in the faith, some joined later in life, and others became active members only after retiring from professional basketball.
Publicly documented cases remain relatively rare compared to the thousands of athletes who have played in the league.
The best-known examples include Danny Granger, Darren Collison, David Meyers and Willie Wise, all of whom have openly discussed or demonstrated their connection to Jehovah’s Witnesses at different stages of their lives. Collison’s decision to retire while still capable of playing at a high level brought renewed attention to the faith’s influence on professional athletes.
David Meyers also walked away from the NBA early, citing his desire to focus on his family and religious commitments. Some names that frequently appear in online lists require more caution.
Dewayne Dedmon has often been described as having been raised around Jehovah’s Witness beliefs through his mother. Still, there is no verified evidence that he has publicly identified himself as a baptized or practicing Jehovah’s Witness. Treating him as an active member would go beyond what has been confirmed. Their stories also highlight an important point.
Jehovah’s Witnesses do not prohibit professional sports, but the religion places strong emphasis on worship, congregation activities, preaching, and personal conduct.
Every player has made individual decisions about balancing faith and career, and those choices have varied considerably.
As a result, there is no official NBA list of former players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the total cannot be stated with complete certainty.
Based on publicly verified information, only a small number of retired players have openly acknowledged or clearly demonstrated a connection to the faith.