Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo build legacy wey stand pass im 7-foot-2 frame. Di Congo-born player establish hinsef as one of di greatest defenders for NBA history, finish im 18-season career dey rank second all-time for blocked shots, ahead of names like Karl Malone, Michael Jordan, Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant.
Basketball no be im original plan. One of 10 pikin, Mutombo reach Georgetown for 1987 with academic scholarship, im intention na to study medicine. Coach John Thompson convince di tall teenager to pursue di sport wey im don dey grow to play with im older brother for Kinshasa. Mutombo graduate with dual degrees for linguistics and diplomacy, and im multilingual ability start from childhood when im learn Portuguese take play football with im Angolan neighbours.
Dem select am fourth overall by di Denver Nuggets for di 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo play for Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston before im retire at 42. An eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA and six-time All-Defence selection, e become just as recognisable for im trademark finger wag after blocked shots.
Off di court, Mutombo serve as di NBA first global ambassador, e grow di game for Senegal, South Sudan, South Africa and im native DR Congo. E help drive di creation of NBA Africa and di Basketball Africa League, and im son Ryan tok say Mutombo be integral for launching NBA Africa academies. For DR Congo, e found di Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, wey build hospital for im home country, cement legacy wey extend from di court to di continent.
