Date of Birth: June 25, 1966
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Biography
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, commonly known as Dikembe Mutombo, is a retired Congolese-American professional basketball player and humanitarian. Born on June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players and shot blockers in NBA history. He played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), primarily with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets. Mutombo attended Georgetown University on a USAID scholarship with intentions of becoming a doctor. However, he was recruited by the university’s basketball coach, John Thompson, and quickly became a dominant force on the court. He entered the NBA Draft in 1991 and was selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets. Throughout his career, Mutombo was known for his defensive prowess, earning the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. He was an eight-time NBA All-Star and led the league in blocked shots for five seasons. Off the court, he is equally celebrated for his extensive humanitarian work, particularly in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997 to improve living conditions in the Congo, including the construction of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa.
5 Interesting Facts about Dikembe Mutombo
1. Dikembe Mutombo speaks nine languages, including English, French, Spanish, and five Central African dialects.
2. He is famous for his signature finger wag, which he used after blocking opponents’ shots.
3. Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
4. He appeared in several commercials and TV shows, including a popular GEICO ad where he blocks everyday objects.
5. Mutombo has served as a Global Ambassador for the NBA, promoting basketball and social causes worldwide.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Dikembe Mutombo
1. “No, no, no! Not in my house!”
2. “I feel that my humanitarian work is just as important as what I did on the basketball court.”
3. “When you take the elevator to the top, don’t forget to send it back down for others.”
4. “Basketball gave me a platform to do good and make a difference in the world.”
5. “I’ve always believed that education is the key to a better future for everyone.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Dikembe Mutombo’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $75 million.
Children
Dikembe Mutombo has six children: four with his wife, Rose, and two adopted children.
Relevant Links
1. [Dikembe Mutombo on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dikembe_Mutombo
2. [Dikembe Mutombo Foundation](https://www.dmf.org/
3. [NBA Hall of Fame Profile](https://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/dikembe-mutombo/
4. [Dikembe Mutombo’s Career Stats](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mutomdi01.html
5. [Dikembe Mutombo GEICO Commercial](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_0fyUYB3cA
