20 Athletes Who Are Muslim

Updated July 3, 2024 175.5K views 19 items

Have you ever wondered which of your favorite athletes are Muslim? Several famous boxers, NBA players, and football stars are Muslim. Some of these athletes were raised in the faith, while others converted later in life. Several famous basketball players fasted during the NBA season to observe Ramadan.

Who is the most famous athlete who is Muslim? Mike Tyson tops our list. Mike Tyson converted to Islam in the early 1990s while he was in prison for a rape conviction. Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. changed his name to Muhammad Ali in the 1960s after converting to Islam and joining the Nation of Islam. He later converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.

Larry Johnson converted to Islam and observed Ramadan during his NBA career. Kenneth Faried is a practicing Muslim. He says, "You think you have a plan, but God — well, I’m Muslim — Allah has a different plan.” Shaquille O'Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and Muslim stepfather. He has been identified as Muslim in several biographies, but he is quoted as saying, "I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person."

Do you think that the Muslim faith helps these pro athletes to succeed in their careers? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

Mike Tyson
Photo:
barstoolsports
Twitter
Mike Tyson converted to Islam in the early 1990s while he was in prison for a rape conviction.
- Age: 58
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York, USA
- Dig Deeper The Best Movies And Documentaries About Mike Tyson, Ranked
- Also ranks #2 on The Best Boxers of the 1990s
The Best Mike Tyson MoviesSee all
- 1The Hangover
  14 Votes
- 2Fallen Champ: The Untold Story of Mike Tyson
  10 Votes
- 3The Hangover Part II
  12 Votes
Shaquille O'Neal
Photo:
Keith Allison
Flickr
CC BY-SA 2.0
Shaquille O'Neal was raised by a Baptist mother and Muslim stepfather. He has been identified as Muslim in several biographies, but he is quoted as saying, "I'm Muslim, I'm Jewish, I'm Buddhist, I'm everybody 'cause I'm a people person."
- Age: 52
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey, USA
- Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, Phoenix Suns, Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics
- Also ranks #2 on The Best NBA Players Of The 2000s
- Also ranks #2 on The Greatest LSU Basketball Players of All Time
The Best Shaquille O'Neal MoviesSee all
- 1Good Burger
  39 Votes
- 2Blue Chips
  31 Votes
- 3Scary Movie 4
  27 Votes
Muhammad Ali
Photo:
Ira Rosenberg
Wikimedia Commons
no known copyright restrictions
Cassius Marcellus Clay, Jr. changed his name to Muhammad Ali in the 1960s after converting to Islam and joining the Nation of Islam. He later converted to Sunni Islam in 1975.
- Age: Dec. at 74 (1942-2016)
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Louisville, Kentucky, USA
- Also ranks #1 on The Greatest Boxers Of All Time, Ranked
- Also ranks #1 on The Best Boxers of the 20th Century
The Best Muhammad Ali MoviesSee all
- 1Facing Ali
  14 Votes
- 2The Greatest
  28 Votes
- 3The Last Round: Chuvalo vs. Ali
  16 Votes
Hakeem Olajuwon
Photo:
Dieci
Facebook
Hakeem Olajuwon was raised Muslim and became even more dedicated to his faith as he grew into adulthood.
- Age: 62
- Nationality: Nigerian-American
- Birthplace: Lagos, Nigeria
- Teams: Houston Rockets, Houston Rockets, Toronto Raptors
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Photo:
Frank Bryan
Wikimedia Commons
Public Domain
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, born Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr., changed his name when he converted to Islam in 1971.
- Age: 77
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: New York, New York, USA
- Teams: Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks, Milwaukee Bucks, UCLA Bruins men's basketball
- Also ranks #1 on The Greatest NBA Centers of All Time
- Also ranks #1 on The Greatest UCLA Basketball Players of All Time
Kareem Abdul Jabbar's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA CareerSee all
- 1Magic Johnson
  122 Votes
- 2Oscar Robertson
  82 Votes
- 3James Worthy
  80 Votes
Rasheed Wallace
Photo:
Keith Allison
Wikimedia Commons
CC BY-SA 2.0
During his time in the NBA, Rasheed Wallace was one of few Muslim players.
- Age: 50
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Washington Wizards, Boston Celtics
Bernard Hopkins
Photo:
Johnny TrueKing Davis
Facebook
Bernard Hopkins converted to Islam after being released from Graterford Prison in the late-1980s.
- Age: 60
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Kenneth Faried
Photo:
EJ's Basketball Talk
Facebook
Kenneth Faried is Muslim. He says, "You think you have a plan, but God — well, I’m Muslim — Allah has a different plan.”
- Age: 35
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey
- Teams: Houston Rockets
Tie Domi
Photo:
Margann Laurissa
Facebook
Tie Domi is reportedly Muslim. He was born Tahir Domi on Nov. 1, 1969.
- Age: 55
- Nationality: Canada
- Birthplace: Windsor, Canada
Hasim Rahman
Photo:
Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY
Hasim Rahman is Muslim. He was reportedly fasting for Ramadan during his 2nd fight against Lennox Lewis.
- Age: 52
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Photo:
Gossip Entertainment
Facebook
Shareef Abdur-Rahim is a devout Muslim. He was born in the faith.
- Age: 48
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Marietta, Georgia, USA
- Teams: Portland Trail Blazers, Atlanta Hawks, Sacramento Kings, Sacramento Kings, Vancouver Grizzlies
Ahmad Rashād
Photo:
African American History
Facebook
Ahmad Rashād converted to Islam in 1972 at which point he changed his name. He was born Robert Earl Moore on Nov. 19, 1949.
- Age: 75
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Tacoma, Washington, USA
Amir Khan
Photo:
boxingscene
Twitter
Amir Khan is a Muslim and a member of the Naqshbandi sufi spiritual order.
- Age: 38
- Nationality: Pakistan, United Kingdom
- Birthplace: Bolton, England
Larry Johnson
Photo:
Lisa Muhammad
Facebook
Larry Johnson converted to Islam and observed Ramadan during his NBA career.
- Age: 55
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Tyler, Texas, USA
- Teams: New York Knicks, New Orleans Pelicans, Charlotte Hornets, UNLV Runnin' Rebels basketball
Nazr Mohammed
Photo:
Keith Allison
Wikimedia Commons
CC BY-SA 2.0
Nazr Mohammed is Muslim and as such, he fasts during Ramadan. He reportedly lost 10lbs during the 2004-05 season from fasting.
- Age: 47
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Teams: Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma City Thunder
Hasheem Thabeet
Photo:
NBA All Day
Facebook
Hasheem Thabeet is Muslim. He says, "Being Muslim is a big part of me. I feel Muslim, it is always in me. I wish I did not have to practice while I fast, but I do my job and keep believing."
- Age: 37
- Nationality: Tanzania
- Birthplace: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Teams: Oklahoma City Thunder, Portland Trail Blazers, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf
Photo:
Basket World
Facebook
Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is Muslim. He reported recited a silent Muslim prayer whenever the "The Star-Spangled Banner" was played before games.
- Age: 55
- Nationality: United States of America
- Birthplace: Gulfport, Mississippi
- Teams: Denver Nuggets, Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Vancouver Grizzlies
Mehmet Okur
Photo:
Mehmet Okur
Facebook
Mehmet Okur is Muslim.
- Age: 45
- Nationality: Turkey
- Birthplace: Yalova, Turkey
- Teams: Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets
DeSagana Diop
Photo:
Texas Legends
Facebook
DeSagana Diop is reportedly Muslim.
- Age: 43
- Nationality: Senegal
- Birthplace: Dakar, Senegal
- Teams: Cleveland Cavaliers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, Brooklyn Nets, Charlotte Hornets