Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo AKA Dikembe Mutombo,
was born June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Growing up, he loved to play multiple sports, but being a professional athlete was not his first career choice. He initially aspired to become a doctor!
Even as a child Mutombo was tall. At 7’2″, his height played a large factor in his basketball success. However, he didn’t focus much on basketball until he was recruited during his college years.
College
Dikembe Mutombo attended Georgetown University, where he played under legendary coach John Thompson. During his time there, he became a standout player. His impressive skills as a shot-blocker and great rebounder caught the attention of many coaches.
In 1991, he graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Linguistics and Diplomacy. This education was crucial in the development of his communication skills and prepared him for life post NBA.
NBA
Drafted fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo came in and made his mark quickly.
In his rookie season, he averaged 8.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. His most impressive skill was his shot-blocking ability. He became known for his famous finger-wag after blocking shots, it quickly became an iconic gesture which is still mimicked by athletes around the world today.
During his 18-year career, Mutombo played for several teams including Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, and Houston Rockets. He was known for his incredible defensive skills and won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times!
Record & Achievements
He was selected to the NBA All-Star game four times from 1995 to 1998.
Mutombo finished his career with over 3,289 blocks, ranking him among the top blockers in league history and one of the best defensive players of all time.
- Drafted in 1991 4th Overall
- NBA Defensive Player of the Year (4x)
- NBA All-Star(4x)
- NBA All-Defensive First Team(2x)
- Top 20 Players of the 1990s (ESPN)
Post NBA
Mutombo retired from the NBA in 2009. He then dedicated himself to philanthropy and humanitarian work.
His major projects included building hospitals and schools. In 2010, he opened the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to uplift the lives of disadvantaged people in Africa.
A Voice for Hope and Change
Often Mutombo campaigned to improve conditions in Africa. He used his money and fame to advocate for things like healthcare and education. His life experiences brought significant awareness about health-related issues. He frequently addressed topics such as youth education, HIV/AIDS, and clean water.
Life Challenges and Perseverance
Mutombo achieved a lot throughout his life, but it wasn’t always without a few roadblocks. He endured struggles of adapting to a new culture in the United States at the age of 21, language barriers, and racism. As a defender in the game of basketball, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest of all time. Mutombo is a true definition of playing with heart.
Dikembe Mutombo’s presence in basketball not only changed the game, but left an everlasting stamp in many communities throughout the world. From a young boy in Democratic Republic of the Congo, to one of the NBA’s greatest defenders, and humanitarian leaders.
