Faith in the Paint:

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How NBA Stars Live Their Beliefs On and Off the Court

In a league built on highlight reels, shoe deals, and social media buzz, it’s easy to think NBA players are defined only by what they do between the lines.

But behind the dunks, buzzer-beaters, and controversies, there’s another story running quietly in the background:

Faith.

Some players kneel in prayer before games.
Some fast from sunrise to sunset while playing at the highest level.
Some skip games to honor holy days.
Others post Bible verses after injuries or talk openly about Jesus, Allah, or the God who steadies them.

From Ja Morant reclaiming his life after scandal, to Kyrie Irving fasting through Ramadan, to Deni Avdija sitting out for Yom Kippur, these are the men for whom basketball is important—but not ultimate.

Let’s step into their stories.

Jonathan Isaac: Standing Alone, Standing on Faith

Jonathan Isaac didn’t just make headlines for blocking shots.

In 2020, while the NBA kneeled in unified protest during the national anthem in support of Black Lives Matter, Isaac stood.

No T-shirt. No kneel. Just him, upright—hands behind his back, head bowed.

Critics came for him instantly.
But Isaac insisted his decision was rooted, not in politics, but in his Christian faith.

Raised in a Christian home and one of six siblings, Isaac grew up knowing about God. But it was after reaching the NBA that his faith deepened. In Orlando, he began preaching at Jump Ministries Global Church, sharing his testimony and calling Christians to stand boldly.

He later wrote Why I Stand, detailing his anxiety as a Black student in predominantly white schools, his journey to the NBA, and his decision to live out his faith even when it meant standing alone—literally.

He also launched UNITUS, an “anti-woke” clothing brand aimed at families who want their spending to reflect their values.

To Isaac, the world is getting “darker and crazier.”
His answer isn’t louder outrage, but deeper conviction.

“You standing up for what you believe is only going to get harder—but it’s only going to become more and more necessary.”

Ja Morant: From Suspension to Surrender

Ja Morant’s talent is undeniable.

Explosive dunks. Daring finishes. A rising superstar who electrified Memphis and the entire league.

But in 2023, his off-court decisions nearly derailed everything.

Multiple incidents—most infamously appearing with guns on social media—led to suspensions and heavy criticism. The narrative was simple: Ja was throwing away his gift.

Behind the scenes, something else was happening.

According to those close to him, Ja had grown up in the church. During his suspension, while rumors swirled that he was in rehab, one source insisted:

He wasn’t in rehab.
He was in church.

“Covered in the armor of Christ,” as the source put it.

Ja has long posted prayers and Scriptures on social media. In December 2020, he shared:

“Prayer for today:
Dear God, I bring to you my burdens.
You know my situation. I can’t make it without you.
Comfort my heart, give me strength, and help me carry on. Amen.”

In late 2023, amid the storm, he reposted a message from Deion Sanders that he called “much needed.”

Family friends say Ja recommitted his life to Jesus, seeing his suspension not just as punishment—but as a wake-up call.

Whether the transformation sticks will be seen over time. But one thing is clear: He’s not just fighting to save his career.

He’s fighting to save his soul.

 

Kyrie Irving: Fasting, Faith, and the Firestorm

Kyrie Irving has been called many things:
Genius. Trouble. Artist. Distraction.

But to understand him, you have to understand his faith.

Born in Melbourne, raised in the U.S., Kyrie’s life has always been unconventional. After his mother died when he was four, his father and aunt helped raise him. Basketball came from watching his dad hoop—and over time, so did a deeper sense of spiritual searching.

Today, Kyrie openly practices Islam.

He’s fasted through Ramadan while playing NBA games, going without food or water from sunrise to sunset. While some athletes see such demands as a competitive disadvantage, Kyrie sees it as discipline and devotion.

“Ramadan is a special time.
You try not to think about the suffering too much and really focus on the journey with God and the path that you’re on.”

At the same time, he’s sparked intense controversy—promoting a flat Earth theory (which he later retracted) and sharing a link to Hebrews to Negroes, widely criticized as antisemitic.

Kyrie is a paradox:
A devout believer who fasts and speaks about God’s path—
and a lightning rod whose posts often ignite backlash.

For him, faith is not a quiet, private thing. It’s messy, public, and very much a work in progress.

Gorgui Dieng: Prayer, an App, and a Foundation

Gorgui Dieng never became a headline star in the NBA. But his life might quietly outshine many.

Born in Senegal, Dieng carved out a solid career after being drafted in 2013, playing for the Timberwolves, Grizzlies, Spurs, and Hawks. In 2023, he stepped away from playing, serving as a basketball operations representative with the Spurs.

Through it all, he remained a devout Muslim.

He once explained how he keeps his prayer schedule on the road:

A smartphone app tells him prayer times and the qibla (direction of Mecca) no matter where he is.
Sometimes he prays in the locker room between meetings and games.
Five daily prayers—no matter the schedule.

Off the court, his faith in action is unmistakable.

In 2015, he founded the Gorgui Dieng Foundation, focused on improving healthcare in Senegal. They’ve sent medical equipment, provided supplies, and supported hospitals—literally saving lives far away from NBA arenas.

His story is one of quiet devotion:
Islam, service, and a career that mattered more for what he gave than what he scored.

Omri Casspi: An Israeli Trailblazer With a Mission

When Omri Casspi stepped onto the floor for the Sacramento Kings in 2009, it was more than just a debut.

He became the first Israeli-born player to appear in an NBA game.

Drafted 23rd overall, Casspi joined a tiny group of Jewish players who made the league—following names like Dolph Schayes, Ernie Grunfeld, Danny Schayes, and Jordan Farmar.

Born in Holon and raised in Yavne, Casspi grew up in a Jewish family with Moroccan roots. He wasn’t just a basketball ambassador for Israel; he was a cultural one.

After retiring in 2021, Casspi’s impact shifted from the court to connection. Through the Omri Casspi Foundation, he sponsors trips to Israel for NBA and WNBA players and other celebrities.

The goal?

To show people the reality of Israel beyond headlines—its culture, people, and complexity.

Supported by the NBPA, his program uses basketball as a bridge, inviting others into his homeland and heritage.

For Casspi, faith, identity, and the game are all intertwined.

Kevin Durant: Humility, Scripture, and a Hidden Core

Kevin Durant’s resume is overstuffed:

2 NBA championships
2 Finals MVPs
1 regular season MVP
4 scoring titles
14 All-Star appearances
Member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team

But behind the scoring artistry is someone who thinks deeply about God.

In a 2011 interview with Sports Spectrum, Durant said:

“In the Bible, the Lord exalts humility, and that’s one thing I try to be all the time.
I’ve just got to be thankful to the Lord for the gifts He’s given me. My gift back to Him is to always be humble and to always try to work as hard as I can.”

He’s said the Bible “pumps him up” and keeps him balanced.

In 2013, he was baptized by Carl Lentz, then-pastor of Hillsong New York City. For a time, Durant’s spiritual life and his public persona ran closer together, as he posted more about faith and purpose.

KD doesn’t talk about religion constantly.
But for him, faith is the quiet engine behind the work.

Damian Lillard: On His Knees Before He Shoots From Deep

They call him “Dame Time” because when the game is on the line, Damian Lillard comes alive.

But before the clutch threes, there’s something else:

Prayer.

Raised with spiritual roots, Dame has leaned more deeply into his faith in recent years. With the Bucks now and chasing his first ring, he says he’s been trying to reconnect with Scripture and his religious upbringing.

He attends team chapels. He reads a Bible app on his phone. And he prays—not just casually, but intentionally.

In a 2019 interview with The Athletic, he said:

“It’s important to give thanks, so I started actually getting on my knees and praying.
Usually you tell people all the time, ‘I pray for you’… and people don’t actually pray.
I’m on my knees just to let my posture show the true posture of my heart, because I’m really thankful. There’s real favor on my life.”

He doesn’t pretend to be perfect. But he’s clear:

One day, he believes he will answer to God. When that day comes, he wants to be able to say he tried.

Deni Avdija: Balancing Basketball and Yom Kippur

Deni Avdija is a symbol of a new generation of global NBA talent—and of a blended identity.

Born in Kibbutz Beit Zera, Israel:

His mother, Sharon, is an Israeli Jew and a former track and basketball player.
His father, Zufer, is an Israeli of Serbian Gorani Muslim background who once played for Yugoslavia’s national team.

Deni chose his path—and today proudly identifies as Jewish.

He became a rising star with Maccabi Tel Aviv, then was drafted by the Washington Wizards in 2020. In the NBA, he’s carried both a nation’s hopes and a faith tradition.

In 2024, now with the Portland Trail Blazers, Avdija sat out his first preseason game to honor Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar—a day of fasting, prayer, and reflection.

Off the court, he’s also made his position clear. After terror attacks in Israel, he wrote “Am Yisrael Chai” (“The people of Israel live”) on his shoes.

To Deni, basketball is a platform.
His identity—Jewish, Israeli, and proud—isn’t something he leaves in the locker room.

Michael Porter Jr.: Pain, Perspective, and Purpose

Michael Porter Jr. entered the NBA as one of the most hyped prospects in his class—a 6’10” forward with guard skills, a scorer built for today’s game.

Then came the injuries.

Back issues threatened his career before it really started. Surgeries. Setbacks. Doubt. Questions about whether he’d ever become what people expected.

Through it all, MPJ clung to his faith.

After a major setback in 2022, he posted:

“There is a good, loving God named Jesus who died for all of us.
All we have to do is believe and put our faith in Him.
Through all the heartache, adversity, and tough times in life, continue to trust in Him and His divine plan.”

He quoted Isaiah 55:8–9 about God’s ways and thoughts being higher than ours.

In 2023, when the Denver Nuggets raised their first-ever championship banner, Porter didn’t just see a career achievement.

He saw evidence of a bigger story.

He’s said it’s his dream to “influence people for God’s kingdom,” and that no matter how many points he scores:

“God is what matters—and getting people to Heaven is what matters.”

For him, faith reframes suffering—and success.

Gabe Vincent: “God Is My Guide”

Gabe Vincent wasn’t supposed to make it.

Undrafted. Overlooked. A name most people didn’t know.

Then he helped the Miami Heat make an improbable Finals run, earned a contract with the Lakers, and proved he belonged.

Behind the grind is a clear spiritual anchor.

His Instagram bio reads:

“I’m on a mission and God is my guide.”

In a 2021 interview, he said:

“My grandfather was a pastor in Nigeria, so faith runs deep in my family.
It helps set the foundation and make you have some reference to accountability.
It plays a huge part in my life and success.”

His compassion isn’t new. His mother recalls seeing him, as a child, take off his shoes and give them to a barefoot boy in need.

For Vincent, faith, family, and basketball are all stitched together.
The league might see a role player.
He sees a calling.

Jordan Farmar: The “Jewish Jordan” With a Bigger Goal

Jordan Farmar’s nickname says it all:
“The Jewish Jordan.”

He isn’t literally the next Michael Jordan—but he became a meaningful figure for Jewish fans around the world.

Born to a Black father and a Jewish mother, raised with an Israeli stepfather, Farmar fully embraced his Jewish identity—having a bar mitzvah and proudly identifying with his heritage.

At UCLA, he starred. With the Lakers, he won two championships as a key guard alongside Kobe Bryant.

Beyond stats, he used basketball to bring people together.

In 2008, he led a camp where Israeli and Palestinian kids played on the same teams, giving them a rare chance to interact as teammates, not enemies.

He later founded Hoop Farm, a children’s basketball camp at UCLA that combined sports with lessons on sustainability and environment.

He may not be the GOAT.
But the “Jewish Jordan” made his own kind of impact—one rooted in faith, identity, and bridge-building.

Omer Yurtseven: Finding a Place to Practice

Omer Yurtseven’s journey isn’t as public as some—but it’s still powerful.

Born in Uzbekistan, raised in Turkey, Yurtseven eventually made his way to the NBA after going undrafted in 2020. He signed with the Miami Heat, later joined the Utah Jazz, and then returned to Europe to play for Panathinaikos in 2024.

A practicing Muslim, Yurtseven has been open about the need to live where he can practice his faith comfortably.

He moved during his youth—from Raleigh to Georgetown—seeking a more diverse and tolerant environment where he could be open about his beliefs and identity.

His story is quieter, but it echoes a common theme:

For some players, finding a team is only half the battle.
Finding a place where they can be fully themselves—faith and all—is just as important.

Dennis Schröder: A World Cup MVP Who Prays Before Tip-Off

Dennis Schröder, now with the Golden State Warriors, is the son of a German father and Gambian mother.

Growing up, he was more into skateboarding than basketball—until his father passed away in 2009. That loss pushed him to commit to the game in his father’s memory. He chose jersey number 17 because it was his dad’s favorite number.

On the court, he’s now a World Cup MVP, having led Germany to its first-ever FIBA World Cup title in 2023 and a EuroBasket medal in 2022.

Off the court, his Muslim faith runs quietly beneath everything he does:

He prays before games.
He prays before bed.
He observes Ramadan, navigating the demands of fasting while playing pro basketball.

For Schröder, success isn’t just about trophies.
It’s about staying disciplined and grounded—in sport, and in faith.

Enes Kanter Freedom: Fasting, Activism, and Conviction

Enes Kanter Freedom’s name tells you a lot.

Born Enes Kanter in Switzerland to Turkish parents, he grew up in Turkey, then moved to the U.S. as a teen and became the 3rd pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Over an 11-year career, he played for multiple teams and became known not only for his rebounding—but for his activism.

A devout Muslim, he has written and spoken about fasting during Ramadan while playing in the intense crucible of the NBA playoffs—competing at the highest level with no food or water during daylight.

He says his faith keeps him positive and away from destructive choices.

Beyond religion, he has been one of the league’s most outspoken human rights advocates—criticizing the Turkish government, speaking out on global injustices, and accepting the consequences that came with that courage.

For Freedom, faith isn’t just a private comfort. It’s a reason to speak up.

Hunter Tyson: Basketball Is Not His Identity

Hunter Tyson’s name doesn’t yet ring out like Curry or Durant.

But his outlook is as mature as any veteran’s.

After a slow start at Clemson—barely playing, averaging 1.6 points—he steadily grew into an All-ACC first team star, nearly putting up a double-double his final year. The Nuggets took him in the second round of the 2023 draft, and he shined in Summer League.

He credits his progress to his faith.

Switching to a Christian high school strengthened his relationship with God and gave him a sense of purpose beyond basketball.

“I’m just glad God put me in this position.”

He’s clear:

Basketball is a passion.
It is not his identity.

“I find my identity in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

No matter how many points he scores or wins he racks up, he believes what matters most is eternal, not temporary.

Steph Curry: Shooting for Three—and for Something Higher

Steph Curry changed basketball.

From Davidson to Golden State, he turned the three-pointer into a weapon of mass destruction and reshaped how the entire world plays the game.

But underneath the deep threes and celebrations is a deep faith.

A devoted Christian, Curry openly credits Jesus as the foundation of his life:

He points to the sky after big plays—not as a celebration of self, but as a way of saying “God is great.”
He says he plays “for God’s glory.”

Off the court, he launched Unanimous Media, a production company that focuses on family-friendly, often faith-tinged storytelling. They’ve worked on Christmas and Easter-themed projects—not as heavy-handed sermons, but as meaningful stories with biblical roots.

At home, he reads Bible stories to his children:

“My parents read a lot of Bible stories with me—that’s how I learned my faith.”

When he won Finals MVP in 2022, he took a moment in the spotlight to point beyond himself:

“I thank God every day that I get to play this game at the highest level with some amazing people.”

For Curry, the three-pointer may be his signature.
But so is his faith.

Jusuf Nurkić: Faith, Fasting, and Controversy

Jusuf Nurkić, the 7-foot center from Bosnia, is known for his physical presence inside—and his spiritual commitments off the court.

Drafted by the Bulls in 2014, he played for the Nuggets and Trail Blazers before joining the Phoenix Suns. He also proudly represents Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally.

As a practicing Muslim, Nurkić has spoken publicly about Ramadan:

“We Muslims fast as an act of worship, a chance to get closer to God and a way to become more compassionate to those in need. Fasting is also a way to learn patience and break bad habits.”

He uses his platform to explain why he fasts—even when it affects how he feels in games.

At the same time, he’s sparked controversy.

In 2021, he posted an image of the Meštrović Pavilion from 1944, when it was converted into a mosque under the Ustaše regime—a Nazi puppet state in Yugoslavia. The image, deeply loaded with historical and political implications, ignited tensions in the region.

Through praise and backlash, Nurkić has stayed anchored in faith, family, and the game.

Taylor Hendricks: A Rookie With God at the Center

At just 19, Taylor Hendricks entered the NBA with a clear plan:

Play hard. Honor God.

Drafted 9th overall in 2023, the 6’9″ forward has already spoken more openly about faith than some veterans.

He transferred to a Christian high school as a junior, a move he says deepened his understanding of God’s Word and helped him find purpose.

“Putting God first throughout my whole journey has been really important.”

He believes that no matter what happens in his career, God has a plan that will leave him blessed in the end.

His goals aren’t just about stats:

“I just hope to inspire others and to let them know that anything is possible with faith and works through the Lord.”

For Hendricks, the game is a platform.
The message is bigger.

Dwyane Wade: Number 3, For a Reason

Dwyane Wade is a Miami Heat legend.

3-time NBA champion
13-time All-Star
Multiple All-NBA and All-Defensive honors
Franchise leader in points, games played, assists, steals, and field goals

But his faith is woven right into his identity—literally on his jersey.

Wade chose number 3 to represent the Holy Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

A committed Christian, he tithes regularly and supports countless causes through the Wade’s World Foundation—focusing on education, health, and community support in places like Chicago and South Florida.

For Wade, greatness on the floor always came with a sense of responsibility off of it.

Derek Fisher: Five Rings and One Source of Strength

Derek Fisher spent 18 seasons in the NBA, winning five championships with the Lakers and becoming known as one of the toughest, most clutch role players of his era.

But if you ask him how he did it, he won’t talk first about his work ethic or IQ. He’ll talk about God.

In an interview with The 700 Club, Fisher said:

“God blessed me to play basketball very, very well.
So in response to that, and to show Him I appreciate that blessing, I have to try and be the best at playing the game.
I know all of it is because of Him. There’s no question about it.
The source of my power and strength is God, and I know it without a shadow of a doubt.”

His career was never about being the star. It was about being faithful—with his role, his opportunities, and his gift.

More Than a Game

From Ja Morant seeking redemption in the church…
To Kyrie Irving fasting under the bright lights…
To Steph Curry pointing upward after yet another impossible three…
To Deni Avdija skipping a game for Yom Kippur and Nurkić explaining Ramadan to millions…

These players prove something that often gets lost in the noise:

The NBA isn’t just about numbers, contracts, and narratives.

It’s also about:

Heart
Conviction
Identity
The beliefs that sustain athletes when the cheers fade, the injuries hit, or the controversies explode

Faith doesn’t make them perfect.
But it gives them a compass.

And whether in quiet locker room prayers, bold public stands, or late-night Bible apps, these players remind us that behind every jersey is a human being trying to make sense of life, success, failure, and eternity.

For them, basketball is a gift.

But it’s not the whole story.