The Georgetown community mourns the loss of Dikembe Mutombo

WASHINGTON— The Georgetown University community mourns the loss of Dikembe Mutombo (C'91, HON '10, P'19 P'23 P'24), an All-American on the Georgetown men's basketball team who was later inducted into the Hall of Fame in his career in the NBA. In addition to his success on the court, Mutombo dedicated his life to philanthropic and humanitarian work and full-time advocacy for those in need. Mutombo served on the Georgetown University Board of Directors from 2017 to 2023. Mutombo died of brain cancer on September 30 at the age of 58.

“Dikembe Mutombo was the embodiment of the Georgetown spirit,” said Joseph Ferrara, vice president of Georgetown University and chief of staff to President John J. DeGioia. “From his productive college and professional basketball career to his tireless work in retirement to improve the lives of people in need of better health and opportunity, he lived Georgetown's values ​​in a way that we will always share will be held in great esteem and pride. His death is a…”tremendous loss to the Georgetown community and indeed to the United States, the Congo and everywhere else where he uplifted those around him. On behalf of President John J. DeGioia and the Georgetown community, I extend my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s family, friends, teammates and others who knew and loved him.”

In three seasons as a letterwinner at the Hilltop, Mutombo was a two-time All-BIG EAST selection and was named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year twice. As a senior in 1991, he averaged 15.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks when he was named First Team All-BIG EAST and earned Third Team All-America honors. During his tenure, the Hoyas won a BIG EAST regular season title (1988–89) and the 1989 BIG EAST Tournament title. That same season, the Blue & Gray advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight. Mutombo was named to Georgetown's All Century Team in 2007 and still ranks among the all-time leaders in blocked shots (3rd, 354) and rebounds (12th, 8.6 per game). In 2012, he was inducted into the Georgetown Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2016, Mutombo was awarded the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes outstanding individuals on the 25th anniversary of the completion of their collegiate athletics careers.

Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, culminating in Mutombo being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. He was nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” due to his defensive skills and has four awards (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001). An eight-time NBA All-Star, Mutombo still ranks second all-time in NBA career blocks with 3,289 and was a member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (1997, 1998, 2001). He was the NBA's blocks leader in three consecutive seasons (1994–96) and the NBA's rebounding leader twice (2000, 2001). His jersey number (55) was retired by both the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets.

During his career, he twice received the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2001, 2009), given annually to a player, coach or athletic trainer who demonstrates outstanding achievement and commitment to the community. In 2009, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern named him the first NBA Global Ambassador, where he continued to work to grow and celebrate the game of basketball through international sporting events, while also working with NBA Cares to raise awareness of important social issues to direct problems. In 2018, Mutombo received the NBA and Turner's Sager Strong Award, given annually to an individual who has been a trailblazer while embodying courage, faith, compassion and grace.

In 2007, Mutombo was the inaugural recipient of the Naismith Hall of Fame's Mannie Jackson – Basketball's Human Spirit Award. Jackson Award recipients embrace the game's core values: hard work, striving for improvement and commitment to others. Beyond the game, they reflect the values ​​of Mannie Jackson's lifelong mission to overcome obstacles; Challenging the status quo, taking responsibility for your actions while striving for the highest standard of excellence. It is a commitment that goes beyond personal reward and continually challenges the human spirit. In their community, this person is a recognized leader and catalyst for change. Ultimately, they are unique individuals who lead by example and demonstrate a philosophy of respect, teamwork, commitment and human compassion in all aspects of their lives.

After retiring from the NBA, Mutombo became a full-time advocate and ambassador with the goal of helping people in need access the health services, educational and economic opportunities they need for a better life and for the development of their children to become strong and healthy members of their communities.

In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation with the aim of improving the health, education and quality of life of the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A major project of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation was the construction of a new general hospital in the capital Kinshasa. In December 2007, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital opened in Congo at a cost of US$29 million. The hospital, named after Mutombo's beloved mother, has treated nearly 200,000 men, women and children.

Mutombo has also served on the boards of the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the US Fund for UNICEF.

“Georgetown lost one of its best games at Dikembe Mutombo,” said Lee Reed, director of intercollegiate athletics at Francis X. Rienzo. “Basketball fans remember him for his defense, rebounding and trademark finger-wagging, but those of us who knew him well will miss the father, teammate, mentor and friend. Dikembe left his mark on the Georgetown community in many ways, but he will be best remembered for his unique ability to use his platform as a Hall of Fame basketball player to maximize his global impact as a humanitarian. Our deepest condolences go out to the entire Mutombo family, Dikembe is a true Hoya who will not be forgotten.”

As a member of Georgetown's Board of Directors, Mutombo served on the Committee on Athletics and the Committee on Main Campus Affairs. He received a Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) from Georgetown in 2010.