Introduction
NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses are a minority in the league, but they have made their mark with their talent, dedication, and faith. 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 holidays, and preaching door-to-door. In this article, we will look at three NBA players who are Jehovah’s Witnesses and how their religion has influenced their careers and lives.
Danny Granger: The Star Witness
Danny Granger was one of the best scorers in the NBA during his prime. He played for the Indiana Pacers from 2005 to 2014 and averaged 18.1 points per game in his career. He was an All-Star in 2009 and led the league in three-pointers made in 2011. He also played for the Los Angeles Clippers and Miami Heat before retiring in 2015.
Granger was raised by Jehovah’s Witnesses, but he did not get baptized until 2017, two years after his retirement. He said that he always believed in God, but he wanted to make sure he was ready to commit to his faith. He also said that being a Jehovah’s Witness helped him cope with the challenges and pressures of being an NBA player.
“I think it helped me a lot because it gave me a sense of purpose,” Granger said according to Sportskeeda. “It gave me a sense of direction. It gave me something to look forward to. It gave me something bigger than basketball.”