What would it take for you to walk away from $10 million? Honestly, for most of us, that's not even a question. We’d stay. But in the world of professional basketball, a handful of guys have done the unthinkable. They didn't leave because of blown-out knees or aging out of the league. They left because they found something they cared about more than a championship ring.
The phenomenon of ex NBA players Jehovah Witness members isn't just a footnote in sports history. It’s a recurring theme of personal conviction clashing with the loudest, wealthiest league on earth.
The Darren Collison Shocker
In 2019, Darren Collison was 31 years old. He was a starting-caliber point guard coming off a season where he averaged 11 points and 6 assists. Free agency was days away. Experts predicted he was looking at a contract worth somewhere between $10 million and $12 million a year.
Then, he just... quit.
He didn't hold a massive press conference with tears and jerseys. He wrote a letter. He explained that while he still loved the game, his faith as one of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and his desire to help the less fortunate through his ministry was "unmatched" by the joy of basketball. People were baffled. Some fans even got a little heated online, calling it a waste of talent. But Collison was gone. He traded the roar of the crowd for the quiet work of door-to-door ministry.
It wasn't a PR stunt. It was a life change.
Danny Granger and the transition after the buzzer
Danny Granger was the face of the Indiana Pacers for a long time. If you watched the NBA in the late 2000s, you know he was a bucket. He won the Most Improved Player award and was an All-Star. But unlike Collison, who left in his prime, Granger’s path was more about what happened after the injuries took their toll.
Granger was actually raised in a household of Jehovah’s Witnesses, but the NBA life is a lot. It's travel, it's late games, it's a bubble of fame. He wasn't actually baptized until 2017, two years after he hung up his sneakers for good.
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"I found that basketball did not satisfy me and found comfort in the Bible." — A sentiment often echoed by players who realize the "glory days" have a shelf life.
Granger’s story recently went viral for a weird reason—a comedian named Brittany Schmitt made a joke about an ex-NBA player who called her to tell her she needed to repent. While the internet played detective and pointed at Granger, the real story is simpler: a guy who grew up with certain values finally decided to make them his full-time reality once the ball stopped bouncing.
The original "Decision": Dave Meyers
Long before LeBron James took his talents to South Beach, Dave Meyers made a decision that shook the league.
Meyers was a superstar at UCLA under John Wooden. He was the number two overall pick in the 1975 draft. By 1980, he was a key piece for the Milwaukee Bucks. Then, at age 27, he just walked away. No warning. No comeback tour.
He told the Bucks he was retiring to spend time with his family and devote his life to his faith as a Jehovah’s Witness. He became a fourth-grade teacher. He stayed out of the spotlight for decades until he passed away in 2015. To him, the NBA was just a job, and he’d found a better one serving his community.
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Why does it keep happening?
You’ve gotta wonder why this specific faith seems to pull players away. Basically, it comes down to the requirements of the religion. Jehovah’s Witnesses are big on "full-time ministry."
- Time commitment: The NBA schedule is brutal. You’re working weekends, holidays, and nights.
- Neutrality: The faith emphasizes staying out of politics and certain worldly celebrations, which can be tough when you’re a global brand.
- Priorities: For these players, the "world" is temporary. Their faith is eternal.
It’s not just the older guys, either. Dewayne Dedmon, who spent years as a reliable center in the league, had a wild upbringing where his mom—a devout Witness—didn't even want him playing basketball. He didn't even start playing seriously until he was 18. He eventually chose the league, but that tension between the court and the Kingdom Hall is always there.
Then you have AJ Griffin. Just recently in 2024, at only 21 years old, he stepped away from the Houston Rockets. While he hasn't explicitly used the JW label in the same way Collison did—focusing more on a general "relationship with Jesus"—the pattern is identical. The money is there. The fame is there. But the player isn't.
What this means for the league
Teams are getting more used to this, but it’s still a "risk" in the draft. When a player has deep religious convictions, front offices sometimes worry if the "fire" for the game will stay lit.
But honestly? These guys are usually the best teammates. They don't party. They don't get into legal trouble. They show up, do their work, and then they go home. The only "problem" for the NBA is that sometimes, they just decide they've had enough of the noise.
If you're looking to understand the impact of ex NBA players Jehovah Witness life choices, look at the transition. They don't usually become broadcasters or coaches. They disappear into their communities. They teach. They preach. They live lives that are, by NBA standards, incredibly "normal."
Actionable Insights for Fans and Observers
If you're following a player who seems to be leaning into their faith, here’s how to interpret the move:
- Respect the Agency: It’s easy to call it "crazy" to leave millions, but for these athletes, it’s an exercise in personal freedom.
- Look for the Signs: Players who prioritize "ministry" or "service" over off-season brand building are often the ones who will retire early.
- Appreciate the Performance: If a player like Collison or Meyers leaves, don't be mad they quit—be glad you got to see someone play who wasn't just doing it for the paycheck.
The NBA will always have its stars, but for a select few, the brightest light isn't the one in the arena rafters. It’s the one they find in a Kingdom Hall.
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To stay updated on player transitions and how personal values are shaping the modern NBA, keep a close eye on off-season retirement announcements. Often, the most interesting stories happen when the cameras are turned off.