Georgetown Community Mourns the Passing of Dikembe Mutombo

WASHINGTON – The Georgetown University community mourns the passing of Dikembe Mutombo (C’91, HON ’10, P’19 P’23 P’24), an All-American on the men’s basketball team at Georgetown who would go on to a Hall of Fame career in the NBA. In addition to his success on the court, Mutombo dedicated his life to philanthropic and humanitarian work, and being a full-time advocate for those in need. Mutombo served on Georgetown University’s Board of Directors from 2017-2023. Mutombo passed away on September 30 at the age of 58 from brain cancer.
 
“Dikembe Mutombo was the embodiment of the spirit of Georgetown,” said Joseph Ferrara, Vice President of Georgetown University and Chief of Staff to President John J. DeGioia. “From his prolific college and professional basketball careers to his tireless work in retirement to improve the lives of those in need of better health and opportunity, he lived Georgetown’s values in a way we always will hold with great esteem and pride. His passing is a tremendous loss for the Georgetown community and indeed the United States, Congo, and everywhere else where he uplifted those around him. On behalf of President John J. DeGioia and the Georgetown community, I offer my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s family, friends, teammates and all who knew and loved him.”
 

In three seasons as a letterwinner on the Hilltop, Mutombo was a two-time All-BIG EAST selection and twice named BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 15.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks as a senior in 1991, when he was named First Team All-BIG EAST and earned Third Team All-America honors. During his tenure, the Hoyas captured one 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 selected 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 recognized with the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award that recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletics careers.
 
Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA culminating in Mutombo’s enshrinement into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” for his defensive prowess, he is tied for the most NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards with four (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 three-time member of the NBA All-Defensive First Team (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 the Denver Nuggets.
 
During his career, he was a two-time recipient of the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2001, 2009), presented annually to a player, coach or athletic trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. In 2009, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern appointed him to the role of the first ever NBA Global Ambassador, where he continued to work to grow and celebrate the game of basketball through international sporting events while working with NBA Cares to bring attention to important social issues. In 2018, Mutombo was the recipient of the NBA and Turner’s Sager Strong Award, presented annually to an individual who has been a trailblazer while exemplifying courage, faith, compassion and grace.
 
In 2007, Mutombo was the first recipient of the Naismith Hall of Fame’s Mannie Jackson – Basketball’s Human Spirit Award. Jackson Award recipients embrace the core values of the game: hard work, striving to improve and a commitment to others. Beyond the game they reflect the values of Mannie Jackson’s lifelong mission to overcome obstacles; challenge the status quo, take responsibility for his or her actions while seeking the highest standard of excellence. It’s a commitment that transcends personal reward and constantly challenges the human spirit. In their community, this person is a recognized leader and catalyst for change. Ultimately, they are singular individuals who lead by example, demonstrating a philosophy of respectfulness, 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 a goal of helping people in need gain access to the health services and educational and economic opportunities necessary to live better lives and for their children to grow strong and become healthy productive members of their communities.
 
In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, with a mission to improve the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. One major project of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation was the construction of a new general hospital in the capital city of Kinshasa. In December 2007 and at a cost of $29 million, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital opened in Congo. Named in memory of Mutombo’s beloved mother, the hospital has treated close to 200,000 men, women and children.
 
Mutombo also served on the board of the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
 
“Georgetown lost one of its best in Dikembe Mutombo,” said Francis X. Rienzo Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Lee Reed. “Basketball fans remember him for his defense, rebounding and that trademark finger wag, but to those of us that knew him well, we will miss the father, teammate, mentor and friend. Dikembe left his mark on the Georgetown community in so many ways, but he will be best remembered for his unique gift of leveraging his platform as a Hall of Fame basketball player to maximize his global impact as a humanitarian. Our deepest condolences 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.