The NBA is honoring one of its most beloved and influential players by announcing the NBA Africa Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award, writes Marc J. Spears of Andscape.
The Hall of Fame center, who died in September at 58, is being celebrated for his dedication to expanding the game in Africa and supporting humanitarian causes on the continent.
Commissioner Adam Silver revealed the new award on Saturday at the annual NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon, and the league describes it as “a new annual honor that will recognize a person or an organization that works to advance health, education or economic opportunity across the continent of Africa.” Mutombo, who hailed from the Democratic Republic of Congo, was appointed by former commissioner David Stern as the NBA’s first global ambassador.
“[Mutombo] was a constant fundraiser,” Silver said. “I used to sort of joke when we traveled with him, [and] he had his card as the NBA ambassador — these days when I take out my business card, young people say, ‘what is that piece of paper?’ But when people still had business cards, he would start with his NBA ambassador card, and then he’d wait until I walked away and out would come four other cards of all these other programs that he would be raising money for. He was so committed to it.
“His spirit was infectious. Part of it was just being a 7-footer. We all knew when we traveled with him, whether it was to Mumbai — a place where people might not know much about basketball or Dikembe Mutombo — I think because of his size, because of his laugh, just because of his presence, they instantly would know he was somebody important and he’d create those connections, something we all talk about so much these days.”
Spears notes that the NBA Africa Luncheon is typically filled with energy and celebrations of African music and culture. Although that was true this year, the mood was mixed with solemn remembrances of Mutombo, whose photos adorned the walls of the event.
Mutombo enjoyed an 18-year NBA career, spending time with the Nuggets, Hawks, Rockets, Sixers, Knicks and Nets. He was a three-time All-Star and ranks second on the career blocks list with 3,289. He punctuated many of those rejections with a finger wag that became his trademark.
In addition to his excellence on the court, Mutombo was twice recognized with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in honor of his service to the community.
His legacy includes the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which was established in 1997 to improve the quality of life for people in the Congo, and a $29MM hospital he opened in 2009 near Kinshasa, which is the nation’s capital. He was also a strong promoter of Basketball Without Borders and an early investor in the Basketball Africa League.
Silver announced Saturday that the NBA will donate 55 basketball courts in Africa in honor of the number Mutombo wore throughout his career, with the first set to be built in Kinshasa.
The finger wag will live forever. That’s all Dikembe. RIP.
A humanitarian award, honoring a thief, who organized the smuggling of 4.5 tons of gold, stolen from his bitterly poor home country. Some splendid values on display here by Silver and the NBA.
Read: “Dikembe Mutombo And The Case Of The Missing Congolese Gold” (Deadspin, March 1, 2012)
“On December 2, 2010, Mutombo gathered a small group of men in a New York City hotel. He told them of an opportunity that could earn up to $20 million in a matter of weeks.”
What a great humanitarian role model that guy was!
waldfee you’re the worst.
link to hoopshype.com
All of you who were telling us for yrs the big man is gone. Look at this list. NBA is all about size. Only a true big can control a gm on the defensive end like Dikembe did. Only a true big can be a rim protector. In a 2waysport only a center can be the most important player on team on D. Just look at all the bigs here. Ewing and NYK never get the respect. Ewing taught Mourning and Dekembe the big man’s game..
Small ball is a scheme . Not the way of the game. Shooting is a scheme. Not the way of the game. In a 48 min game. How much time do you think they play D. A true big. Is about controlling the paint and rebounds. That allows the others to play tougher D. Bigs are better athletes and more skilled today. A true big will always have a place and job in this league. Why do you think LA traded for Williams. Or Dallas drafted Lively. Dekembe and AI took Sixers to Finals. On a team that had no business being there.
God speed Mr Mutonbo …….