Dikembe
Mutombo is a Congolese-American NBA basketball player who is one of the greatest
defensive players of all time. He is second in NBA's history for number of shots
blocked. This 7'2" superstar, who speaks nine languages, came to the United
States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1987 on an academic scholarship.
He started in the NBA in 1991 and has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year
award four times.
Dikembe
Mutombo is also well-known for his humanitarian work. In the off-season he travels
throughout Africa, performing at free basketball clinics, and is actively engaged
in many causes. In 1997, he started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to help improve
living conditions in his native country. Mutombo served as a spokesperson for
the international relief agency, CARE and the United Nations Development Program
named him their first Youth Emissary. He is a World Food Programme Partner and
has produced public service announcements to help end world hunger. In 2004, Dikembe
Mutombo and Bono, lead singer of the rock band U-2, launched the ONE CAMPAIGN,
a major effort joined by many celebrities to convince the American public to help
fight AIDS and global poverty. In 2007, the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation's goal
to open the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (named for his mother) was finally completed
on the outskirts of Dikembe's hometown, after 10 years of planning, fundraising
and construction -- it was the first modern hospital built in the area in 40 years.
Dikembe Mutombo has received many awards and honors for his humanitarian work
and has been recognized by USA Weekend Magazine and FOXSports.com as the "Most
Caring Athlete" and was praised for his humanitarian work by President George
Bush in his 2007 State
of the Union address.
