Dikembe Mutombo, a renowned Congolese American retired professional basketball player, embarked on an illustrious 18-year journey in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Beyond his remarkable basketball career, he has garnered widespread recognition for his far-reaching humanitarian endeavors.
Standing at an impressive 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) and weighing 260 pounds (120 kg),the dominant center began his professional tenure with the Georgetown Hoyas. Mutombo is widely regarded as one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the sport, having claimed the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award an unprecedented four times. His impressive résumé also includes eight All-Star selections.
On January 10, 2007, Mutombo surpassed the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, solidifying his position as the second most prolific shot blocker in NBA history, trailing only Hakeem Olajuwon. Throughout his career, he consistently averaged a double-double, and his impressive 12th-place ranking in career double-doubles is a testament to his enduring dominance. Additionally, Mutombo is tied for second all-time in career triple-doubles involving points, rebounds, and blocks.
After concluding the 2009 NBA playoffs, Mutombo announced his retirement from professional basketball. On September 11, 2015, he was honored with a prestigious induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Notably, Mutombo holds the distinction of being the oldest player in NBA history to collect over 20 rebounds in a single game, achieving this feat at the age of 40 on March 2, 2007, against the Denver Nuggets.
