With the passing of Dikembe Mutombo, I not only lost a dear friend, but the world lost one of its great humanitarians. Known globally for his legendary presence on the basketball court, Mutombo was so much more than an athlete. He was a beacon of hope, a symbol of resilience, and an advocate for those whose voices often went unheard.
Dikembe was an immigrant from the Democratic Republic of the Congo who arrived on the Georgetown University campus on a USAID scholarship in 1988.
Although 7’ 2”Dikembe had not been offered an athletic scholarship, legendary Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson took one look at this new arrival’s 7’ 6” wingspan and quickly realized he had something special.
As it turned out, Dikembe’s list of accomplishments, on and off the court, both in college and the NBA, is lengthier than that lofty wingspan.
Nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” for his defensive prowess, Dikembe was an eight-time NBA All-Star and was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year on four occasions.
His ability to block shots was unmatched – and the good-natured wagging of his finger after rejecting a shot brought a smile even to opposing players.
I first met Dikembe in Toronto as part of NBA All-Star Game Weekend festivities a number of years ago. He had retired in 2009 but had turned his attention fully to his true passion – humanitarian work, especially in Africa.
As one involved in similar activities, we hit it off, and I suggested we had much more in common than our towering height. We had a good laugh – I am 5 foot 9 after all! We exchanged business cards and promised to get together. And sure enough, not long afterwards he reached out. “I’m going to be in New York tomorrow. That’s not too far from Toronto. Join me for dinner.”
It was a small trek to get there from Toronto and it required me to clear a lot of my schedule, but for Dikembe, I would have traveled halfway around the world.
During our conversation, what struck me most was his unwavering commitment to helping those in need around the world, especially in his homeland. He wasn’t content with merely lending his name to a cause; Dikembe was fully invested in making real change. Through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which he established in 1997, he worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. His crowning achievement was the construction of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, a 300-bed facility named in honor of his mother. Located near his hometown of Kinshasa, the hospital has become a lifeline for many in the region, treating over a million people.
In addition, Dikembe honored his father, Samuel, by founding the Samuel Mutombo Institute of Science & Entrepreneurship. His dedication to education and health created lasting opportunities for the people of Congo and left a powerful legacy of hope and transformation.
But his humanitarian work didn’t stop there. He was a tireless supporter of the Special Olympics, serving as a member of the Special Olympics International Board of Directors, as well as a Global Ambassador. He was also pioneer of Unified Sports, which brings together people with and without intellectual disabilities.
Dikembe served on the board of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, and in 2009, he became the NBA’s first Global Ambassador—a role for which he was deeply qualified. He used the power of basketball to make a positive impact on communities across Africa and the world. His work earned him widespread recognition, including the Goodermote Humanitarian Award from Johns Hopkins University.
Just two weeks ago, I moderated a panel discussion at Deepak Chopra’s Sages & Scientists Symposium at Harvard on Africa’s future, and as I reflect now, it’s clear that Dikembe Mutombo embodied the very essence of the “Africa Rising” narrative. His life was one of service, dedication, and profound impact. Although his battle with cancer ended at the age of 58, Dikembe’s legacy will endure.
He was, in every sense, a giant—not only in stature but in the magnitude of his influence. His life serves as a reminder that greatness is not measured solely by achievements, but by the lives we touch and the differences we make.
