Jonathan Isaac speaking with attendees at the 2023 AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore, via Wikimedia Commons.
Highlighting Jonathan Isaac
The NBA Season Starts Soon
Jonathan Isaac is the latest National Basketball Association (NBA) player I’ve chosen to highlight for Patheos. One reason is that the 2025-2026 NBA season begins on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. As a huge basketball fan, I’m excited to see how Jonathan and other athletes will perform this year.
The second reason I’m writing about Jonathan is to explain how he uses his career as a platform to encourage Christians to be unwavering in their faith.
I will do this by focusing on his upbringing and the struggles that led him into a personal relationship with God. Then, I’ll reveal the test that made Jonathan stand for the Gospel, how God blesses his obedience, and the advice he offers fellow believers.
Moving From New York to Florida
Jonathan Isaac and His Family
Jonathan Judah Isaac was born in the Bronx, New York, on October 3, 1997. He is the fourth of Jacob Isaac and Jackie Allen’s six children.
The number of children Jackie and Jacob have isn’t the only factor that makes Jonathan’s family unique. His mother, Jackie, is from St.Kitts in the Caribbean, and Jonathan’s grandfather is Puerto Rican. This means Jonathan and his siblings are of American, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican descent. Jonathan’s heritage gives him the option to play basketball for the Puerto Rican National Team.
His family has also played a crucial role in Jonathan’s love for faith and hoops in a few ways. Jonathan describes his father as a religious man who loved scripture and required his family to attend church regularly.
He also credits his father for teaching him about basketball and taking him to tournaments as a young child. Jonathan’s brother (and father’s namesake), Jacob, also encouraged him to take sports seriously in high school.
While their influence was necessary, Jonathan’s mother, Jackie, may have had the biggest influence. She moved her children and herself from the Bronx, New York, to Naples, Florida.
Unfortunately, the move caused her and Jacob to split. However, she believed relocating was worthwhile since her children would be in a safer environment.
Jonathan Isaac High School and College Accolades
Jonathan proved Jackie right and made good on his brother’s and father’s investment through a productive high school athletic career.
In high school, Jonathan Isaac played for Barron G. Collier, the International School of Broward, and IMG Academy. During his senior season at IMG Academy, he averaged 17.6 points and 10 rebounds, leading IMG to a 21-10 record.
Jonathan’s play allowed him to
Be ranked as a 5 Star recruit.
Be ranked 12th overall in his class.
Get invited to play in the Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit All-Star games.
Jonathan’s play also gave him the chance to play one year at Florida State University during the 2016-2017. As a Seminole, Jonathan averaged
12.2 Points.
7.8 Total Rebounds.
1.5 Blocks.
1.2 Assist.
78% Free Throw Percentage.
50% Field Goal Percentage.
Through his play, Jonathan was named to the 2016-2017 Atlantic Coast Conference All-Freshmen Team.
A Secret Battle
While high school and college were good times for Jonathan on the court, he was privately fighting a major battle. Jonathan admits to struggling with anxiety while searching for his identity and craving the acceptance that basketball success brought him.
It’s no surprise that Jonathan faced this battle, struggling to fit in with his peers after moving to Florida. Additionally, though he attended church regularly, he didn’t have a relationship with God.
Consequently, he relied on his individual performance to acquire love and validation. Sadly, he learned that depending on his goodness to receive love and acceptance only leaves you feeling empty.
King Solomon validates this when mentioning how, apart from God, individual achievement is meaningless. Rapper Lecrae Moore also supports this claim when saying, “if you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection.”
Jonathan experiences this “death” when having to take anxiety medication while playing for the Seminoles.
Orlando Magic Forward Becomes a “Minister of Defense”
Jonathan Isaac #1 Orlando Magic at Capital One Arena
(Wizards v. Magic). Photo credit: Mogami Kariya via Wikimedia Commons.
Jonathan Issac Accepts Christ as a Magic
After his freshman year with the Seminoles, Jonathan was selected 6th overall by the Orlando Magic in the 2017 NBA Draft. Being drafted allowed Jonathan to achieve his career dream and paved the way for him to accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
This happened as Jonathan began attending the Orlando Magic Chapel services and became convicted by Luke 6:46. Here, Jesus asks, why do you call me Lord but not do as I say? This scripture inspires Jonathan to begin studying apologetics.
During this time, he also meets Bishop Durone “Doc” Hepburn, who mentors and disciples Jonathan on his journey to a new life as a Christian.
Doc also encouraged Jonathan to begin volunteering at a homeless shelter. While there, he met Takia, who was also serving that day.
Takia and Jonathan started dating and were officially married in September 2022. Three years after their wedding, the couple are parents of two beautiful daughters.
Along with becoming a husband and father, Jonathan is known as the “Minister of Defense.” The nickname highlights his defensive skills with the Orlando Magic.
Since being drafted by the Magic in 2017, he has played in 276 games, acquiring
2,097 Points.
1,359 Rebounds.
360 Blocks.
263 Steals.
222 Assist.
Injuries have prevented him from accomplishing greater feats, but he’s still a fierce competitor. Jonathan’s moniker also honors his becoming an ordained minister through J.U.M.P Ministries in 2020.
The Courage to Take a Stand
While becoming an ordained minister is a crowning achievement, Jonathan’s divine calling did not come without controversy. This controversy wasn’t the result of a scandal or character flaw but a willingness to stand for the Gospel.
In the 2020 NBA Bubble, he chose not to kneel in support of Black Lives Matter protests during the National Anthem. He believes Black lives matter and should be treated with respect.
That said, he has a greater conviction knowing that only the Gospel offers the grace, mercy, forgiveness, and transformation everyone needs. He even cites Acts 17:26, which mentions how all people are a part of one human race created by God.
Expectedly, Jonathan’s stance was met with criticism and could have led to him being blackballed as an outcast. The criticism intensified as he chose not to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
This decision threatened his livelihood, as he wouldn’t receive compensation for games he sat out based on state-specific vaccine laws.
Jonathan’s decisions resemble the three Hebrew boys who refused to bow down in reverence of a false idol. Though they knew they’d be thrown into a fiery furnace, the Hebrews chose to trust in God’s delivering ability.
Jonathan was standing alone in the public eye. However, his support system provided courage by privately urging him to stand strong in the power of the Lord’s might.
His support system understood that Jonathan’s decision would result in a trial that would ultimately bring God glory.
Jonathan Isaac Displays Love in Action
Jonathan Isaac Receives Blessings after Trials
Scripture teaches that God will bless us after trials by strengthening our endurance so we may be complete, lacking nothing. I believe Jonathan’s endurance was strengthened as he learned to learn on his faith while facing adversity.
I also believe God rewarded Jonathan’s willingness to stand by giving him a greater platform to share the Gospel. This is seen as Jonathan becomes the author of “Why I Stand.” This book provides details about Jonathan’s stand, basketball journey, and spiritual growth.
Along with becoming an author, God blesses Jonathan after injuries cause him to lose his shoe contract with Nike. The blessing comes as Doc convinces Jonathan to create his own shoes.
From this advice, Jonathan creates the Judah Ones, the first sports shoe featuring Bible verses. Thanks to this historic achievement, the Judah Ones are now on display at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC.
The Judah Ones also gave birth to Unitus, a Christian footwear and apparel company. The company embraces patriotism, unity, and modeling scripture on its merchandise. Unitus provides young athletes a unique way to share their faith on the court.
Additionally, Unitus gives Jonathan a chance to live out his favorite Bible verse by putting God’s love in Action. Jonathan does this by donating Unitus apparel to schools in Florida.
Jonathan also demonstrated God’s love in action, by donating $25,000 to Project Life’s “Ready, Set, Feed” Program, which provides meals to students in need.
Advice to Fellow Christians
Donating apparel and helping feed hungry students shows Jonathan knows how to be a blessing to others and show compassion. While Jonathan would love to converse with and meet everyone’s needs, he’s only one person.
Knowing this, I’ll mention a few pieces of advice Jonathan mentions during an interview with the Daily Wire that readers can apply to their lives.
First, develop a relationship with God, pray, and study scripture daily. These are the only ways you’ll discover real love, draw closer to God, and live out your purpose.
For young people, developing a relationship with God will also give them the courage to stand as the world becomes darker. Jonathan says speaking God’s word over your children provides them with something to hold onto as they grow.
Next, make sure you have a strong support system to encourage and motivate you. For Jonathan, Doc and others’ influence is responsible for his spiritual growth, standing for his faith, and establishing Unitus.
For those desiring to play in the NBA, you must work hard while understanding God is in control of your destiny. God is the one who orders your steps, and his will is what’s best (even if that means not becoming a professional basketball player).
Lastly, Jonathan knows there will be unbelievers who read Why I Stand. He encourages them to approach the story with an open mind, hoping that at least they will respect his experience.
But ultimately, his hope for the book is that readers will see the goodness of God through his story and let Jesus Christ into their hearts.
Did you enjoy reading this article? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is greatly appreciated! Please leave your comments below.