Dikembe Mutombo: NBA Legend

Dikembe Mutombo, one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history, was born on June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Sadly, he passed away on September 30, 2024, at the age of 58 due to complications from brain cancer. His life was one of incredible achievement both on and off the court.

Family and Early Life:

Mutombo was the third of 12 children in his family. His parents, Samuel and Biamba Marie Mutombo, raised him in Kinshasa. Mutombo moved to the United States in 1987 to attend Georgetown University, initially aiming to become a doctor but was quickly noticed for his basketball talent under coach John Thompson. He is married to Rose Mutombo, and they have four children: Ryan, Carrie, Jean, and Robert Mutombo.

Basketball Career Highlights:

Mutombo was known for his incredible shot-blocking skills, which earned him the title of NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times. His iconic finger wag, which he would wave after blocking a shot, became a signature gesture in the NBA. Mutombo played for several teams, including:

• Denver Nuggets (1991–1996)
• Atlanta Hawks (1996–2001)
• Philadelphia 76ers (2001–2002)
• New Jersey Nets (2002–2003)
• New York Knicks (2003–2004)
• Houston Rockets (2004–2009)

His partnership with players like Allen Iverson during his time with the 76ers was particularly notable, as they reached the NBA Finals in 2001. He was also a great team player with Alonzo Mourning during his time with Georgetown and paired with Yao Ming in the Houston Rockets, forming a strong defensive duo.

Favorite Player and Inspirations:

Mutombo admired Hakeem Olajuwon, another legendary NBA player, and frequently spoke about learning from him. His style of play was often inspired by defensive greats.

Off-Court Work:

Mutombo was just as well-known for his philanthropic efforts as he was for his basketball career. He founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, focusing on improving healthcare in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The foundation built the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named after his late mother, and has provided life-saving care to thousands.

Business Ventures:

Mutombo was involved in several business endeavors, including real estate and investments in healthcare initiatives. He worked on projects to improve access to clean water and education in Africa.

Net Worth:

As of 2024, Mutombo's estimated net worth was around $75 million, earned through his long NBA career, business ventures, and philanthropy.

Height and Tools for Users:

Standing at 7'2" (218 cm), Mutombo's height was one of his defining attributes, which played a major role in his legendary defense. Curious about how you compare to this NBA legend? Check out our Height Comparison Tool to compare your height with Mutombo or Height Predictor Tool to estimate your future height based on your current height and parents' height. We also have a Baby Height Predictor for parents to estimate how tall their children will grow.

If you're interested in converting your height, use our cm-to-ft or ft-to-cm converter tool.

Table: Dikembe Mutombo Overview