Dikembe Mutombo Biography

Fast Facts

• Was named Global Ambassador by NBA Commissioner David Stern in 2009, through which he travels internationally for Basketball without Borders and NBA Cares
• Served as a spokesperson for the international relief agency CARE and became the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program
• Started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve the health, education and quality of life of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015
• Played basketball for Georgetown University, which he attended on an academic scholarship, and graduated with degrees in linguistics and diplomacy
• Was drafted by the Denver Nuggets as the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft
• Quote: "Coming from the place where I come from, from the poverty, to be standing here with this jersey and be part of this wonderful family, the Hall of Fame ․․․ I never thought I would be a basketball player ․․․ Today my dream came true․"
• Former professional basketball player who played center for the Denver Nuggets, the Atlanta Hawks and the Houston Rockets
• Is fluent in nine different languages, five of which are African languages