History of Dikembe Mutombo in Timeline
"Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo" was a Congolese-American professional basketball player with a career spanning 18 seasons in the NBA. Known by the nickname "Mount Mutombo", he was renowned for his defensive skills, especially his shot-blocking ability, which has earned him recognition as one of the greatest defensive players in basketball history. Beyond his achievements on the court, he was also widely respected and admired for his extensive humanitarian efforts.
June 25, 1966: Dikembe Mutombo is born
On June 25, 1966, Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo was born in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He was one of ten children.
1987: Mutombo Moves to the United States
At 21 years old, Mutombo moved to the United States in 1987 to pursue a college education.
1987: Ilo Mutombo's College Basketball Career
In 1987, Dikembe Mutombo's older brother, Ilo, began playing college basketball at the age of 26 for the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.
1990: Big East Defensive Player of the Year
In 1990, Dikembe Mutombo earned the title of Big East Defensive Player of the Year, sharing the honor with his teammate Alonzo Mourning.
1990: Facing His Brother on the Court
In 1990, Dikembe and Ilo Mutombo played against each other in a college basketball game at the Capital Centre.
1991: Mutombo's NBA Debut
In 1991, Dikembe Mutombo embarked on his NBA journey after being drafted by the Denver Nuggets.
1991: Big East Defensive Player of the Year
In 1991, Dikembe Mutombo received the Big East Defensive Player of the Year award for the second time.
1991: Drafted by the Denver Nuggets
In 1991, Dikembe Mutombo was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the fourth overall pick in the NBA draft.
1991: Mutombo Graduates from Georgetown
In 1991, Mutombo graduated from Georgetown University with bachelor's degrees in linguistics and diplomacy.
1992: Mutombo's Signature Finger Wag
In 1992, Mutombo introduced his iconic finger wag after blocking shots. The move gained popularity and became his trademark.
1993: Nuggets' Improvement with Mutombo
During the 1993-94 season, the Denver Nuggets showed improvement, with Mutombo playing a pivotal role as their cornerstone player.
1994: Defensive Dominance
From 1994 to 2002, Mutombo was among the top three players in Defensive Player of the Year voting for nine consecutive seasons.
1995: Mutombo Becomes a Free Agent
At the end of the 1995-96 NBA season, Dikembe Mutombo became a free agent. He was reportedly seeking a 10-year contract, which the Nuggets deemed impossible to offer.
1995: Mutombo Joins the Atlanta Hawks
Following the 1995-96 NBA season, Dikembe Mutombo signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks.
1995: Meeting Rose
Mutombo met his wife, Rose, during a visit to Kinshasa in 1995.
1996: Defensive Player of the Year
Dikembe Mutombo earned his first Defensive Player of the Year award in 1996 while playing for the Atlanta Hawks.
1996: Support for Zaire women's basketball team
In 1996, Mutombo paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women's basketball team during the Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.
1997: Hospital planning
In 1997, the Mutombo Foundation began plans to open a $29 million, 300-bed hospital in Kinshasa. The project faced several challenges but was ultimately well-received.
1997: Mother's death
In 1997, Mutombo's mother passed away from a stroke, leading him to name a hospital after her.
1997: Foundation established
In 1997, Mutombo started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo. His efforts were highly recognized in the following years.
1997: Defensive Player of the Year
In 1997, Dikembe Mutombo received the Defensive Player of the Year award for the second consecutive year, showcasing his dominance on the court.
April 9, 1998: Notable Performance Against the Pacers
On April 9, 1998, Mutombo delivered a strong performance against the Indiana Pacers despite his team's loss, scoring 20 points and grabbing 24 rebounds.
December 14, 1999: Dominant Performance Against the Timberwolves
On December 14, 1999, Dikembe Mutombo exhibited a standout performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 27 points (shooting 11-for-11 from the field), grabbing a season-high 29 rebounds, and recording six blocks to secure the win for his team.
1999: Sporting News 'Good Guys in Sports'
In 1999, Sporting News named Mutombo as one of the 'Good Guys in Sports' for his humanitarian work.
2000: Sporting News 'Good Guys in Sports'
In 2000, Mutombo was again recognized by Sporting News as one of the 'Good Guys in Sports'.
February 2001: Mutombo Traded to the 76ers
In a significant trade at the February 2001 deadline, the Atlanta Hawks sent Dikembe Mutombo to the Philadelphia 76ers. The trade also involved Roshown McLeod going to the Sixers in exchange for Toni Kukoč, Pepe Sánchez, Nazr Mohammed, and the injured Theo Ratliff.
July 2001: Testimony in Atlanta Club Trial
In July 2001, a former stripper testified at an Atlanta club owner's trial, who was charged with facilitating prostitution, that she and two other women once performed oral sex on Mutombo at The Gold Club.
2001: Mutombo's Final Season Averaging Double Digits
The 2001-2002 season marked the last time in Mutombo's career that he averaged double-digit points or rebounds. He started in 80 games for Philadelphia, but they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
2001: Groundbreaking of hospital
In 2001, ground was broken for the hospital on the outskirts of Kinshasa, although construction faced delays.
2001: J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
In 2001, Mutombo's humanitarian efforts earned him the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.
2001: Mutombo's Final Season with the 76ers
In 2001, Dikembe Mutombo won his fourth Defensive Player of the Year award and helped lead the Philadelphia 76ers to the NBA Finals. They defeated the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and Milwaukee Bucks in the process. The Sixers ultimately lost in the Finals to the Los Angeles Lakers.
2001: NBA Finals with the 76ers
In 2001, Dikembe Mutombo played in the NBA Finals as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
August 7, 2002: Trade to the New Jersey Nets
On August 7, 2002, Dikembe Mutombo was traded to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Keith Van Horn and Todd MacCulloch. He spent one season with the Nets.
2002: Defensive Dominance
From 1994 to 2002, Mutombo was among the top three players in Defensive Player of the Year voting for nine consecutive seasons.
2002: Cameo in Juwanna Mann and Like Mike
In 2002, Mutombo made cameo appearances in the films Juwanna Mann and Like Mike. His name was also mentioned in the theme song "Basketball" of the latter film.
October 2003: Signing with the New York Knicks
In October 2003, Mutombo signed a two-year deal with the New York Knicks.
2003: NBA Finals with the Nets
In 2003, Dikembe Mutombo reached the NBA Finals for the second time in his career, this time as a member of the New Jersey Nets.
2003: Father's death
In 2003, Mutombo's father passed away, later inspiring him to name a school after him in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
August 2004: Trade to the Chicago Bulls
In August 2004, the New York Knicks traded Mutombo to the Chicago Bulls.
2004: Trade to the Houston Rockets
Prior to the start of the 2004-2005 NBA season, the Chicago Bulls traded Dikembe Mutombo to the Houston Rockets.
2004: Basketball Without Borders participation
In 2004, Mutombo participated in the Basketball Without Borders NBA program, touring Africa with other NBA stars to promote basketball and improve infrastructure.
2004: Start of hospital construction
In 2004, construction of the hospital in Kinshasa finally began after overcoming several initial challenges.
August 14, 2006: Hospital donation
On August 14, 2006, Mutombo donated $15 million toward the completion of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital.
September 2, 2006: Hospital opening
On September 2, 2006, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital was ceremonially opened, named after Mutombo's late mother who passed away in 1997.
January 10, 2007: Mutombo Achieves Second Place in Career Blocks
On January 10, 2007, Dikembe Mutombo achieved the impressive feat of securing the second position on the NBA's all-time career leaders in blocked shots.
March 2, 2007: Breaking an NBA Record
On March 2, 2007, at the age of 40, Mutombo became the oldest player in NBA history to record more than 20 rebounds in a game, with 22. This occurred during a game against the Denver Nuggets.
2007: Stepping Up for the Rockets
During the 2007-2008 season, Mutombo received significant playing time when Yao Ming was injured. He helped the Rockets extend their winning streak to 22 games.
2007: State of the Union Address recognition
In 2007, Mutombo was invited to President George W. Bush's State of the Union Address and was referred to as a 'son of the Congo' by the President.
2007: First modern medical facility in Kinshasa
In 2007, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital became the first modern medical facility built in Kinshasa in nearly 40 years, serving a population facing significant poverty.
December 31, 2008: Re-Signing with the Houston Rockets
On December 31, 2008, Mutombo signed with the Houston Rockets for the remainder of the 2008-2009 season after spending the early part of the season as an unsigned free agent.
April 23, 2009: Mutombo Announces Retirement
Mutombo announced his retirement on April 23, 2009, after 18 seasons in the NBA. His retirement came after suffering a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his left knee during a playoff game against the Portland Trail Blazers.
2009: Mtombo's Farewell Tour
Mutombo declared that the 2009 NBA season would be his "farewell tour" and his final season. He was the oldest player in the NBA in 2009.
2009: Mutombo Announces Retirement
Following the conclusion of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Dikembe Mutombo made the decision to retire from professional basketball.
2009: Second J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award
In 2009, Mutombo received the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for the second time, recognizing his continued humanitarian efforts.
2009: Harouna Mutombo's Accolades
In 2009, Harouna Mutombo was the leading scorer for the Western Carolina Catamounts and was named the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year.
2010: Unity Cup in South Africa
In 2010, Mutombo played in the Unity Cup in South Africa before the World Cup Quarterfinal, joining South African President Jacob Zuma and Special Olympics athletes.
2010: Honorary doctorate from Georgetown University
In 2010, Mutombo was awarded an honorary doctorate by Georgetown University.
April 13, 2011: Goodermote Humanitarian Award
On April 13, 2011, the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health awarded Mutombo the Goodermote Humanitarian Award for his efforts to reduce polio globally and improve health in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
May 2011: Honorary doctorate from Haverford College
In May 2011, Mutombo received an honorary doctorate from Haverford College in recognition of his contributions on and off the basketball court.
2011: Sports envoy to South Sudan
In 2011, Mutombo traveled to South Sudan as a SportsUnited sports envoy for the U.S. Department of State, leading basketball clinics and team-building exercises with Sam Perkins.
2012: Second Unity Cup participation
In 2012, Mutombo joined his second Unity Cup team, continuing his support for Special Olympics and Unified Sports.
2012: Voice and likeness in Old Spice game
In 2012, Mutombo lent his voice and likeness to a 16-bit-style Flash game released by Old Spice humorously titled Dikembe Mutombo's 4 1/2 Weeks to Save the World.
February 2013: GEICO commercial parody
In February 2013, Mutombo appeared in a GEICO auto insurance commercial, parodying his shot-blocking ability by applying it to real world situations.
September 11, 2015: Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame
Dikembe Mutombo was honored with induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2015.
November 2015: NCAA Silver Anniversary Award
In November 2015, the NCAA announced Mutombo as a recipient of its Silver Anniversary Awards for 2016, recognizing his basketball career and humanitarian work.
November 24, 2015: Hawks Retire Number 55
The Atlanta Hawks retired Mutombo's number 55 jersey on November 24, 2015.
March 22, 2016: Experiencing the Brussels Bombings
Mutombo was present at Brussels Airport during the 2016 Brussels bombings on March 22, 2016, but was unharmed.
October 29, 2016: Nuggets Retire Number 55
The Denver Nuggets retired Mutombo's number 55 on October 29, 2016.
2016: NCAA Silver Anniversary Award
In 2016, Mutombo was honored with the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award for his achievements in basketball and his extensive humanitarian efforts.
June 25, 2018: Sager Strong Award
Mutombo received the Sager Strong Award on June 25, 2018.
2018: Mfiondu Kabengele's Success
In 2018, Mutombo's nephew, Mfiondu Kabengele, was named the ACC Sixth Man of the Year while playing college basketball at Florida State.
2019: Mfiondu Kabengele Drafted to the NBA
Mfiondu Kabengele was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft.
April 2020: Chief global officer for Ask The Doctor
In April 2020, Mutombo joined Ask The Doctor as their chief global officer, a platform connecting people worldwide to top doctors and healthcare professionals.
2020: Construction of school in Congo
In 2020, the Mutombo Foundation began construction of the Samuel Mutombo Institute of Science & Entrepreneurship, a modern pre-K through 6th-grade school in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
2021: Creation of coffee company
In 2021, Mutombo created his eponymous coffee company, initially focusing on the Congo to foster the participation of women growers in international commerce.
2021: Cameo in Coming 2 America
In 2021, Mutombo had a brief cameo in the film Coming 2 America, appearing as himself.
2021: Ryan Mutombo Commits to Georgetown
In 2021, Mutombo's son, Ryan Mutombo, committed to attend Georgetown University and play for its basketball team.
October 15, 2022: Announcement of Brain Tumor Treatment
On October 15, 2022, Mutombo announced that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.
August 2023: Mutombo's Legacy
As of August 2023, Dikembe Mutombo is second all-time in blocked shots, behind Hakeem Olajuwon, having blocked 3,289 shots over his career. He also is the 20th-most-prolific rebounder in NBA history. He tied the record for most NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards with four.
August 2023: Ryan Mutombo's Basketball Career
As of August 2023, Ryan Mutombo has played two seasons of college basketball at Georgetown University.
September 30, 2024: Dikembe Mutombo's Death
On September 30, 2024, Dikembe Mutombo, a renowned Congolese-American former professional basketball player, passed away.