“My heart was full of joy. I didn”
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Dikembe Mutombo
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo was a Congolese-American professional basketball player who played center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "Mt. Mutombo", he is commonly regarded as one of the best shot-blockers and defensive players of all time. Outside of basketball, he was known for his humanitarian work.
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sports · Congolese-American basketball player (1966–2024) · basketball player · also Dikembe Mutombo, Deke, Mt. Mutombo, Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, Dake, Mutombo
Born 25 June 1966 · Died 30 September 2024 · Q313481
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2026· 1 entry
2024· 13 entries
Forbes: NBA Star Dikembe Mutombo Dies At 58: A Legacy Beyond Basketball
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The New York Times: For Dikembe Mutombo, basketball was but a vehicle for what really matters
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National Basketball Association: How Dikembe Mutombo defended the hoop, hope and happiness
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Yahoo! Sports: Joel Embiid, Adam Silver, Pau Gasol and more react to Dikembe Mutombo's passing: 'Just a great human being'
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nytimes.com: Five moments that endeared Dikembe Mutombo to the world
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Athlon Sports: LeBron James Reveals Favorite Dikembe Mutombo Memory
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The Denver Post: Dikembe Mutombo dies: How the sports world reacted on social media
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Sports Illustrated: Basketball Legend Dikembe Mutombo Dies at 58: 5 Cards to Collect
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National Basketball Association: NBA family reacts to the passing of Dikembe Mutombo
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Yahoo! Sports: Dikembe Mutombo Dies: Basketball Hall Of Famer Who Served As An Ambassador For The Sport Was 58
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Mutombo died due to brain cancer in Atlanta at the age of 58
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Died 2024-09-30.
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Was second all-time in blocked shots behind Hakeem Olajuwon
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2022· 1 entry
Mutombo's family announced that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor
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2021· 1 entry
Committed to play basketball for his father's alma mater, Georgetown, which he did for two seasons
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2020· 2 entries
Mutombo co-founded the coffee company Mutombo Coffee with businessman Robert C
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The Mutombo Foundation began construction of a modern pre-K through 6th-grade school in the Democratic Republic of Congo, named for his father, who died in 2003
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2015· 3 entries
And the Denver Nuggets did the same on October 29, 2016
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Was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
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Won the Basketball Hall of Fame with _Retired Basketball (2015).
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2012· 1 entry
His voice and likeness were used in a 16-bit-style Flash game released by Old Spice humorously titled Dikembe Mutombo's 4 1/2 Weeks to Save the World
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2011· 2 entries
The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health gave Mutombo the Goodermote Humanitarian Award "for his efforts to reduce polio globally as well as his work improving the health of neglected and underserved populatio
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Mutombo traveled to South Sudan as a SportsUnited sports envoy for the US Department of State
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2009· 1 entry
Awarded J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2009).
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2008· 1 entry
Mutombo signed with the Houston Rockets for the remainder of the 2008–09 season
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2007· 4 entries
Awarded Great Immigrants Award (2007).
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In a win over the Denver Nuggets at age 40, Mutombo became the oldest player in NBA history to record more than 20 rebounds in a game, with 22
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In a 102–77 rout of the Los Angeles Lakers, Mutombo recorded five blocked shots and surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in total career blocked shots, trailing only Hakeem Olajuwon
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The $29 million facility became the first modern medical facility to be built in that area in nearly 40 years
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2006· 2 entries
Mutombo donated $15 million to the completion of the hospital for the ceremonial opening on September 2, 2006
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Mutombo became a naturalized American citizen in 2006.
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2004· 2 entries
Participated in the Basketball Without Borders NBA program, where NBA stars such as Shawn Bradley, Malik Rose and DeSagana Diop toured Africa to spread the word about basketball and to improve the infrastructure
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Played for Houston Rockets (2004–2009).
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2003· 1 entry
Joined New York Knicks in 2003.
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2002· 2 entries
The 76ers traded Mutombo to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch
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Joined Brooklyn Nets in 2002.
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2001· 6 entries
Awarded J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2001).
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Awarded NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2001).
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Awarded NBA All-Defensive Team (2001).
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Joined Philadelphia 76ers in 2001.
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Played for Philadelphia 76ers (2001–2002).
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But construction didn't start until 2004, as he had trouble getting donations early on although he personally donated $3
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1999· 2 entries
Mutombo scored 27 points, on 11-for-11 shooting from the field, grabbed a season-high 29 rebounds and recorded a game-high six blocks to pull out the win over the Minnesota Timberwolves
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Was selected as one of 20 winners of the President's Service Awards, the nation's highest honor for volunteer service
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1998· 3 entries
Awarded NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (1998).
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Awarded NBA All-Defensive Team (1998).
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Mutombo scored 20 points and grabbed 24 rebounds in a 105–102 loss to the Indiana Pacers
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1997· 4 entries
Won the NBA All Star with _Retired Basketball (1997).
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Awarded NBA All-Defensive Team (1997).
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Awarded NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (1997).
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The Mutombo Foundation began plans to open a $29 million, 300-bed hospital on the outskirts of his hometown, the Congolese capital of Kinshasa
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1996· 3 entries
Won the NBA All Star with _Retired Basketball (1996).
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Played for Atlanta Hawks (1996–2001).
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Joined Atlanta Hawks in 1996.
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1995· 3 entries
Won the NBA All Star with _Retired Basketball (1995).
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Awarded NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (1995).
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Mutombo met his wife, Rose, during a visit to Kinshasa in 1995.
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1992· 3 entries
Won the NBA All Star with _Retired Basketball (1992).
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Awarded NBA All-Rookie Team (1992).
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As a way to become more marketable and gain product-endorsement contracts
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1991· 4 entries
Joined Denver Nuggets in 1991.
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Graduated with bachelor's degrees in linguistics and diplomacy
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The Denver Nuggets chose him with the fourth overall pick of the NBA draft
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Played for Denver Nuggets (1991–1996).
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1988· 1 entry
Played for Georgetown Hoyas men's basketball (1988–1991).
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1987· 1 entry
Mutombo's 6-foot-10-inch (2
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1966· 2 entries
In Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo to Samuel and Biamba Marie Mutombo
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Born 1966-06-25.
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