How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's witnesses? A list of ex nba players who are jehovah’s witnesses

How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's witnesses? A list of ex nba players who are jehovah’s witnesses

Kevin Omuya
updated at May 5, 2023 at 5:11 AM

How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? The National Basketball Association (NBA) is widely recognised as one of the best basketball leagues in the world. Some NBA players have become famous not only for their physical abilities and talent but also for their religious beliefs. Several retired NBA players have converted to Jehovah's Witnesses.

How many ex NBA players are jehovah witnesses?
Danny Granger, #22 of the Miami Heat, handles the ball against the Brooklyn Nets on January 4, 2015, at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. Photo: Isaac Baldizon
Source: Getty Images

Jehovah's Witnesses are well-known for their evangelistic efforts. However, they adhere to several beliefs at odds with those of mainstream Christianity. They believe individual Bible study to be valuable but frown upon public displays of religion, such as blood transfusions and birthday parties. Its adherents are noted for their unwavering commitment to the Bible and insistence that ethical principles guide moral aspects of daily life. Here is a list of NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Ex-NBA players are Jehovah's witnesses

1. A.C. Green

How many ex NBA players are jehovah witnesses?
Former NBA Player AC Green participates in a Cisco Telepresence video conference with fans at the NBA Jam Session presented by Adidas during NBA All-Star Weekend on February 13, 2009, at Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.Photo: Nick Doan
Source: Getty Images

Former NBA player A.C. Green is a committed member of the Jehovah's Witness faith. For 16 years, Green was a mainstay in the NBA, notably with the Lakers, Suns, and Mavericks. He was an indispensable part of the Lakers teams that won three NBA titles in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and his on-court toughness and reliability earned him a reputation as an NBA legend.

In the middle of the 1980s, Green joined the worldwide Christian movement known as Jehovah's Witnesses. He has utilised his celebrity to spread his religious ideas. He has talked openly about how his faith has helped him stay true to his professional and personal principles. He also speaks regularly at religious gatherings and youth activities, encouraging others to follow Christ and sharing stories from his life.

2. Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf

NBA players who are jehovah's witnesses,
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf of the 3-Headed Monsters during the game against the Triplets during BIG 3 - Week Five at the Fiserv Forum on August 05, 2021, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo: Patrick McDermott
Source: Getty Images

Abdul-Rauf was a key player for the NBA's Denver Nuggets for six years. His scoring prowess and unconventional shooting form (he held the ball in his right hand and shot with his left) made him a fan favourite. In 1991, Abdul-Rauf changed his name from Chris Jackson to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf when he embraced Islam. He eventually became a Jehovah's Witness and has been actively involved in the organisation ever since.

3. Detlef Schrempf

How many ex NBA players are jehovah's witnesses
Detlef Schrempf of the Seattle SuperSonics during the 1996 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls at Key Arena on June 9, 1996, in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Andrew D. Bernstein
Source: Getty Images

Former NBA player Detlef Schrempf is a committed member of the Jehovah's Witness faith. The Indiana Pacers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Portland Trail Blazers were Schrempf's primary stops throughout his 16 years in the NBA. He played for both the NBA and the German national team, and his versatility on the court earned him All-Star honours twice.

In the middle of the 1990s, Schrempf decided to join the Jehovah's Witnesses, and he has been an active member ever since. In addition to advocating for the sport in his home country of Germany, he has also served as an international representative for the NBA.

4. Michael Adams

How many ex NBA players are jehovah's witnesses now?
Boston College's Michael Adams during a game in Boston on January 12, 1985. Photo: Jim Wilson
Source: Getty Images

Adams spent most of his 11 years in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and the Washington Bullets. He was the NBA's steals leader in the 1988–1989 season, and his agility and long-range shooting skills made him a star. Adams became a devout follower of God in the late 1990s.

5. Wayman Tisdale

How many ex NBA players are jehovah witnesses?
Oklahoma Wayman Tisdale during the game vs Illinois State. Photo: Carl Skalak
Source: Getty Images

After 12 seasons in the NBA, predominantly with the Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns, Tisdale retired from professional basketball. While playing collegiate basketball at the University of Oklahoma, he was recognised as a three-time All-American thanks to his scoring prowess and competitive spirit.

Tisdale became an ardent Jehovah's Witness after converting in the mid-1990s, and he frequently used his musical and public speaking talents to spread the gospel. Tisdale died at 44 from cancer-related complications but will be remembered as a gifted basketball player and committed Christian.

6. Mark Jackson

NBA players who are jehovah's witnesses
Mark Jackson #13 of the Indiana Pacers points during a game played on February 28, 1997, at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo: Nathaniel S. Butler
Source: Getty Images

For most of his 17 years in the NBA, Jackson was a member of the New York Knicks, the Indiana Pacers, and the Golden State Warriors. He was well-respected for his court vision and passing skills and ranked third all-time in assists in the history of the NBA.

Jackson converted to Christianity in the late 1990s and has remained a devout follower. He led the Warriors to their first NBA title in 40 years in 2015 after retiring as a player and establishing himself as a successful coach. He recently converted to Jehovah's Witnesses along with other ex-NBA players.

7. Reggie Theus

How many ex NBA players are jehovah's witnesses?
Reggie Theus, #24 of the Sacramento Kings, sits on the bench against the Portland Trailblazers during a game played circa 1985 at Memorial Coliseum in Portland, Oregon. Photo: Brian Drake
Source: Getty Images

Theus spent 13 years as a professional basketball player in the NBA, notably with the Chicago Bulls, the Sacramento Kings, and the Atlanta Hawks. He was a two-time NBA All-Star whose scoring prowess and floor versatility earned him that honour. Theus became a dedicated Jehovah's Witness after deciding to join the organisation in the early 1990s.

8. Antoine Carr

How many ex NBA players are jehovah's witnesses now?
Antoine Carr of the Sacramento Kings during a game in the 1990-91 Season at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.Photo: Rocky Widner
Source: Getty Images

Carr played in the NBA for 16 seasons, primarily with the Atlanta Hawks, the Sacramento Kings, and the Utah Jazz. He was known for his toughness and scoring ability, and he helped lead the Jazz to the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998. Carr became a Jehovah's Witness in the early 1990s and has been an active member ever since.

9. Thurl Bailey

How many ex NBA players are jehovah witnesses?
Thurl Bailey (R), former Utah Jazz player and Head Coach Brad Jones of the Utah Flash, speak during tryouts for the Utah Flash D-League team on September 29, 2007, at the Open Court in Lehi, Utah. Photo: Melissa Majchrzak
Source: Getty Images

Former NBA player Thurl Bailey is a professed Jehovah's Witness. For 12 years, the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves benefited from Bailey's NBA talents. The Jazz made it to the NBA Finals twice in the 1990s, thanks mainly to his ability to play numerous positions. In the middle of the 1990s, Bailey decided to become a Jehovah's Witness, and he has been an active member ever since.

10. Jim McIlvaine

NBA players who are jehovah's witnesses
Jim McIlvaine #22 of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1995 at the US Airways Arena in Landover, Maryland. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

McIlvaine played in the NBA for seven seasons, primarily with the Washington Bullets, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the New Jersey Nets. He was known for his shot-blocking ability and tenacity on the court, and he was a pivotal contributor to the SuperSonics team that reached the NBA Finals in 1996. McIlvaine became a Jehovah's Witness in the late 1990s and has been an active member ever since.

11. Pervis Ellison

How many ex NBA players are jehovah's witnesses?
Pervis Ellison of the Washington Bullets during an NBA basketball game circa 1991 at the Capital Centre in Landover, Maryland. Photo: Focus on Sport
Source: Getty Images

Ellison played in the NBA for 11 seasons, primarily with the Washington Bullets, the Sacramento Kings, and the Boston Celtics. He was known for his versatility on the court and his tenacity as a defender, and he was named the NBA's Most Improved Player in 1992 after a breakout season with the Bullets. Ellison became a Jehovah's Witness in the early 1990s and has been an active member ever since.

12. Kevin Porter

Kevin Porter
Detroit Pistons' Kevin Porter. Photo: Heinz
Source: Getty Images

Porter played with the NBA's Baltimore Bullets and Detroit Pistons for ten years. He was lightning-quick and agile on the floor, leading the league in assists twice in his career. Porter became one of the millions of followers of Jehovah's Witnesses in the early 1980s.

13. Greg Foster

How many ex NBA players are jehovah witnesses?
Greg Foster of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for a studio portrait on Media Day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Photo: Gary Dineen
Source: Getty Images

For most of his 13 years in the NBA, Foster was a member of the Utah Jazz, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Seattle SuperSonics. His toughness and defensive prowess on the court were legendary, and he was an instrumental part of the Jazz's 1997 and 1998 runs to the NBA Finals. Foster converted to Jehovah's Witnesses around the decade's midpoint, and he's been a devout follower ever since.

What NBA players were Jehovah's Witnesses?

Two examples of athletes who are also devout Christians are Dewayne Dedmon and Danny Granger. Former Indiana Pacers basketball player and devout Jehovah's Witness Danny Granger. The Pacers picked Granger with the seventeenth overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft.

Which current and ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses?

The National Basketball Association has three Jehovah's Witnesses among its active and former players. Former Indiana Pacers teammates Danny Granger, Darren Collison, and Dewayne Dedmon (currently of the Miami Heat).

How many ex-NBA players are Jehovah's Witnesses? Jehovah's Witnesses are just one example of the wide range of morals and convictions held by today's professional athletes. Others find strength and encouragement in their religious beliefs, while others see them as a potential detriment. Faith has played a significant role in the lives of these former NBA players, influencing their worldview and inspiring them to lead lives of service and integrity.

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Authors
Kevin Omuya photo
Kevin Omuya
Kevin Omuya is a Content Writer with 4 years of experience who joined Sports Brief in 2022. In 2019 he held a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism & Digital Media from KCA University.