He seemed to bounce around after that. Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography. He's been named Defensive Player of the Year four times. http://www.sportsstats.com/national/players/1990/Dikembe_Mutombo (December 11, 2002). Mutombo played with the Hawks until traded to the Philadelphia 76ers just before the trading deadline in February of 2001. 89. Retrieved October 16, 2020 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/mutombo-dikembe-1966. The seasons since have not seen any diminution of Mutombo’s desire. I cannot stop helping people now.”, Mutombo, who was one of the few 1991 NBA first-round draftees with a bachelor’s degree, has made all other career aspirations secondary to his major goal—making a name for himself as one of the all-time great NBA players. Washington Post, February 10, 1989, p. B-1; January 17, 1991, p. B-1; November 29, 1991, p. B-1. He has continued to be a solid player ever since, especially in the offensive rebound and shot-blocking categories. Not only can the big man play, but he wants to learn as well. His father, who was educated at the Sorbonne in France, was the director of the city's high schools. After four years in the Dirty South, he was traded to Philadelphia in 2001 to play alongside fellow Hoya, Allen Iverson. The starting center that season was a freshman phenomenon named Alonzo Mourning. On January 6, 1995, Lenny Wilkens became the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) all-time lead…, https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/mutombo-dikembe-1966, https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/mutombo-dikembe, Arcain, Janeth: 1969—: Professional Basketball Player, Born June 25 in Kinshasa, Congo (formerly known as Zaire), Enrolls in Georgetown University on academic scholarship, Becomes star defensive player on Hoyas team, Selected in the National Basketball Association draft by the Denver Nuggets, Tours Africa as an international spokesperson for CARE, Establishes the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Second Team All Big East and co-Big East Defensive Player of the Year, Third Team All American and First Team All Big East; selected fourth overall in the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft by Denver Nuggets, Led league in blocks per game with 4.1, 3.9, and 4.5, respectively, Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All Defense, Received the Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award, Led league in rebounds with 14.1 and 13.5 rebounds per game, respectively. In 1991 25-year-old Mutombo, the oldest player in the NBA draft, was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Denver Nuggets. Sporting News (March 25, 1996): 40. More often than not, these predictions exceed reality by leaps and bounds. He excelled as a soccer goalie and also practiced martial arts. In his first year with the Hawks he averaged 13.3 points per game and finished second in the NBA in rebounds (11.6) and blocks (3.3) per game. “I knew it was professional basketball since I was kid, but I didn’t want to play basketball until I was 18 because I just didn’t like it. Mutombo wanted to be a doctor; he was a good student with high grades at the Institute Boboto in Zaire. Ah, yes. Dikembe Mutombo with a 7'2" height had a large wingspan. Nevertheless, the seven-foot-plus Zairean player has emerged in the 1990s as the star center of the National Basketball Association’s (NBA) Denver Nuggets. “I am fighting to put my name in front in lights,” he exclaimed in Sports Illustrated. Within the “Cite this article” tool, pick a style to see how all available information looks when formatted according to that style. After his name was chosen, he embraced both parents enthusiastically and told reporters: “I think now they’ll see me much more often.” He also told the Rocky Mountain News: “I’ve been to Denver and I love the place. NBA basketball player The numerous pressures on Mutombo were intense, but he persevered. Sports Illustrated (March 15, 1999): 79. He teamed with Alonzo Mourning to form the "Twin Towers," a fearsome duo that terrorized anybody foolish enough to drive to the basket. Deveney, Sean. He has enjoyed an 18-year career. Selected awards: Named Big East defensive player of the year and member of All-Big East, 1991; named to NBA All-Star Team, 1992. Professional basketball player, 1991—. In his senior year, Mutombo was named Big East defensive player of the year after he once again ranked fourth nationally in blocked shots and came in sixth in rebounds, with 12.2 per game. In Mutombo’s case, however, predictions fell short of reality. Geffner, Michael P. "The Guardian." "Terms of Endearment." Detroit: U•X•L, 1994-98. Who's Who Among African Americans, 14th ed. Mutombo grew up in a six-bedroom home in a comfortable neighborhood with his four brothers and two sisters. Coach Thompson was right. Mutombo's highlight with the team came in his third season. Others were convinced that Mutombo could play professionally as well. After a terrific collegiate career, Mutombo was selected fourth (in what turned out to be a very weak draft) by the Denver Nuggets. The man is so smart. "World Class." 1966-American basketball player. . Point guard Tim Hardaway was one of the National Basketball Association’s most exciting players for much of…, Faulk, Marshall 1973– Professional basketball coach http://www.nba.com/ (December 11, 2002), "Dikembe Mutombo." Dikembe Mutombo, whose full name is Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo, was born on June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Congo (formerly known as Zaire). Although the Nuggets didn’t win the series, they did force a seventh game in a best-of-seven contest, making Mutombo and his teammates the talk of the NBA at the close of the 1994 season. Notable Sports Figures. Like other professional players of African origin before him, Mutombo has become a certified national hero in his home country while gaining fame in the international arena. During his playing career, Dikembe Mutombo … Jinkner-Lloyd, Amy. Retrieved October 16, 2020 from Encyclopedia.com: https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/mutombo-dikembe. And the upward curve of his development steepened last year.” In a glittering draft ceremony at Madison Square Garden late in June of 1991, Mutombo was chosen in the first round (fourth overall) by the Nuggets, who seemed thrilled that he was still available when their turn came to choose. https://www.encyclopedia.com/education/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/mutombo-dikembe-1966, Kram, Mark "Mutombo, Dikembe 1966– American basketball player He may not have become a doctor, but he did open the first medical facility in his hometown in nearly 40 years. Born Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean lacque Wamulombo, June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Zaire; son of Mutombo (a school principal) and Biamba Dikembe. The player has already achieved major celebrity status in the western states, as well as in all parts of Africa—and his $13.7 million contract has made life easier for his whole family. Therefore, that information is unavailable for most Encyclopedia.com content. He was expected to be chosen very high in the 1991 NBA draft, despite the fact that most scouts thought he would take several years to develop an NBA-caliber game. But the money helps your friends and your family. Trae Young – even at just 6-foot-1 with a 6-foot-3 wingspan and less than supreme athleticism – blocks an occasional shot. More determined than ever not to continue with basketball, he clashed with his parents and brother in a heated argument. Great returns. He talked to me for three, four hours a day. Developing into one of the best defensive players in the nation, Mutombo was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, after leading the league in blocked shots for two consecutive years. But in African society, you succeed for your family. His protege was a quick learner and eventually became a shot-blocking machine. Professional football player And although his playing career is over, something tells me that Dikembe Mutombo is just getting started. He convinced me I could play.”. On his very first basketball outing, he slipped during a jumping drill and opened a gash in his chin, leaving a scar that is still visible today. Henning saw Mutombo play for the Zaire national team and offered to help. Chosen in first round of 1991 National Basketball Association (NBA) draft by Denver Nuggets; center for Nuggets, 1991—. ." "Dikembe Mutombo." (October 16, 2020). But what I really liked about the guy is that he was the league's greatest humanitarian. “I want, in every town, for people to say, ’Mutombo is coming tonight.’ To do that, I have to suffer.” The “suffering” includes spending much of his free time with a California-based marketing firm that is developing commercial endorsements, athletic wear, and other moneymaking projects for Mutombo. It was a section of fans behind the basket who kept count of Mutombo's many blocked shots. My parents. But no player has ever had a more signature, celebratory gesture than Mutombo's finger-wag. As members of the Luba tribe, Mutombo's family belonged to Zaire's upper class. Beset by injuries and decline, he would go on to spend forgettable seasons with the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks. It was a popular and playful gesture. Led by Iverson, the league's MVP, they advanced all the way to the Finals where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers. As a junior he averaged 10.7 points with 10.5 rebounds per game. And when the Chinese big-man missed time due to a rash of injuries, Mutombo jumped back into the starting lineup and provided much-needed leadership and, of course, his trademark defensive presence. He and his wife Rose have a daughter, Carrie Biamba Wamutumbo, and a son, Jean Jacques Dikembe Mutumbo Mplombo, Jr. Already a national hero, his popularity increased in 1996 when he donated the money to provide the Congo national women's team with uniforms for the Olympic Games.
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