NBA Africa and Quest Water Global don announce one multiyear partnership to build or renovate 55 basketball courts across di Democratic Republic of di Congo by 2030 to honour late Dikembe Mutombo. Di project na part of bigger plan to build or renovate 1,000 courts across di continent for di next ten years.
Quest Water Global don dey name di NBA Official Infrastructure Development Partner for DRC. Di initiative go include full-size and 3-on-3 courts.
Di partnership start on September 29 wit di unveiling of new outdoor court for Cercle Onatra for Kinshasa, wia Mutombo first begin to play basketball wit Basketball Club Onatra before e move go United States. Di court get im iconic No. 55 jersey number for centre court and dem expect say e go serve thousands of young pipo from di community around evri year. NBA Africa also host one Jr. NBA and Jr. WNBA coaching clinic for 80 local coaches. Dem schedule second court to unveil for Mutombo hometown of Mbuji Mayi inside di weeks wey dey come.
Mutombo, wey die for 2024 at di age of 58, dem pick am fourth overall by Denver Nuggets for 1991 NBA Draft and e spend 18 seasons for di league. Di eight-time NBA All-Star win Defensive Player of di Year four times, lead di NBA for blocked shots three times and dem induct am inside Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame for 2015. E also help to build Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital for Kinshasa, wey open for 2007.
Im wife Rose Mutombo talk say di new courts go help to preserve her husband commitment to use basketball take affect young pipo for good. NBA Africa CEO Clare Akamanzi add say di project go create new opportunities for one country wey dey central to Mutombo legacy.
