Dikembe Mutombo
Birth Name:
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Wamutombo
Birth Place:
Kinshasa, Democratic Rep. of Congo
Profession
Actor
Fast Facts
- 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
- Was named Global Ambassador by NBA Commissioner David Stern in 2009, through which he travels internationally for Basketball without Borders and NBA Cares
- 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