Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo (June 25, 1966 – September 30, 2024) was a Congolese-American professional basketball player who played center in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "Mount Mutombo" for his defensive prowess, 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.
A 7-foot-2-inch (2.18 m) center, Mutombo moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at age 21 to attend Georgetown University with the hope of eventually earning a medical degree and returning to the DRC to practice medicine. Those plans changed when John Thompson, coach of the Georgetown Hoyas, recruited him to play college basketball. Mutombo played three seasons for Georgetown, establishing a reputation as a tenacious defender.
In 1991 the Denver Nuggets chose him with the fourth overall pick of the NBA draft. During his NBA career, he played for six teams, in the NBA Finals for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001 and for the New Jersey Nets in 2003. He received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times, tied with Ben Wallace and Rudy Gobert for the most awards. He led the NBA in blocked shots three times, led the league in rebounds twice, and was named to eight All-Star teams. Mutombo, with 3,289 career blocks, ranks second among NBA career leaders in blocked shots.
At the conclusion of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Mutombo retired and his number 55 jersey was retired by the Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
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Date: 26 June 1966
By VAL ADAMS
Val ADAMS
Columbia Journalism Rev (pub) study shows nearly 1/3 of news and pub affairs programs offered by 3 networks in sample wk in Feb were rejected by affiliates; sees local stations prejudging programs
Date: 25 June 1966
By DAMON STETSON
Damon STETSON
Meyer and Murphy optimistic on prospects for ANG settlement; Cole repts 'new approach' in talks with mailers
Date: 26 June 1966
Cole sees settlement with ANG and deliverers near
Date: 26 June 1966
By JACOB DESCHIN
Jacob DESCHIN
J G Morris criticizes current news photography, urges overhaul, sees some recent improvements, article in Natl Press Photographer
Date: 25 June 1966
Govt indicts 4 in Mrowa murder; confession by l reptdly implicates UAR
Date: 26 June 1966
Battleship Massachusetts on view, Fall River, Mass; illus
Date: 26 June 1966
By CHARLES GRUTZNER
Charles GRUTZNER
Children's vacations sponsored by Fresh Air Fund begin; contributions down 25% because of strike