Former NBA Star Stephen Jackson Converts to Islam, Joining Other Basketball Greats

Stephen Jackson, 42, announced his conversion to Islam on Instagram. This conversion was effective on January 6. In one of the videos he shared, we see him pronounce the shahada (profession of faith) in the presence of two witnesses, including the imam of the Philadelphia mosque. "This is one of the best days of my life," said the former San Antonio guard.

In an interview with Religion News Service, he said he had been studying Islam for several months but had been close to the Muslim religion for years. He says he made the decision to embrace Islam following the death of his friend George Floyd, whom he calls "my twin".

A complete guard, good passer and good defender, Stephen Jackson played for several basketball clubs for 14 years. He won the NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs in 2003. He will retire from sports in 2015.