Ten fun facts about Dikembe Mutombo

1. Hall of Famer!

Dikembe Mutombo is a legendary basketball player who has achieved great success in his career. His full name is Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, a name that reflects his Congolese heritage. Mutombo is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, an eight-time NBA All-Star, and a two-time NBA blocks leader. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history.

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2. Dikembe Mutombo, 7-foot-2 giant, is a Basketball Hall of Famer

Standing at an impressive 7 feet and 2 inches, and weighing in at 260 pounds, Dikembe Mutombo is widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players and shot blockers in the history of the game. His size and strength have made him a formidable opponent for any player who has come up against him, and his ability to block shots and disrupt the opposition's offense has earned him a place in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

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3. Eight-time NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo was an amazing player

Dikembe Mutombo was an eight-time NBA All-Star, a remarkable feat for any player. He was selected to the All-Star team in eight consecutive seasons from 1992 to 2000, and was named to the All-Star team in each of his first seven seasons in the league. He was also named to the All-NBA Second Team four times and the All-Defensive First Team five times during his career. Mutombo's impressive All-Star record is a testament to his skill and longevity in the NBA.

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4. A Shot Blocking Legend

Dikembe Mutombo arrived at Georgetown University with the intention of becoming a doctor, but his life changed when he was recruited by the Georgetown Hoyas basketball coach John Thompson. Despite speaking almost no English, Mutombo was able to excel in the ESL program and on the court. He quickly became a celebrated shot blocker, setting a team record of twelve blocked shots in a single game and continuing Georgetown's tradition of producing great big men.

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5. Dikembe Mutombo, "Mt. Mutombo", the towering defensive force

The towering Dikembe Mutombo, affectionately known as 'Mt. Mutombo', has been a defensive force to be reckoned with in the NBA. His impressive combination of height, strength and long arms have earned him the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award an incredible four times, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest defensive players of all time.

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6. Dikembe Mutombo, 35, Still Contributes 10 Points Per Game

At the peak of his career, Dikembe Mutombo was a defensive powerhouse, but he was also a formidable offensive force. He averaged double-digit points per game for an impressive 16 seasons, and even at the age of 35, he was still able to contribute 10 points per game. His longevity and consistency on both ends of the court made him one of the most respected players in the NBA.

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7. Dikembe Mutombo's Flailing Elbows Were Known for Causing Injuries

Dikembe Mutombo's flailing elbows were notorious for causing injury to some of the NBA's biggest stars, including Michael Jordan, Charles Oakley, Dennis Rodman, Patrick Ewing, Chauncey Billups, Ray Allen, Yao Ming, LeBron James and Tracy McGrady. His former teammate Yao Ming even joked about it, saying "I need to talk to Coach to have Dikembe held out of practice, because if he hits somebody in practice, it's our teammate. At least in the games, it's 50/50." Mutombo's elbows were so feared that even his own teammates were wary of them!

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8. The Congo's Strongest Man

Dikembe Mutombo was born into the Luba ethnic group in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a group known for their strong sense of community and their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage. Growing up in a tight-knit community, Mutombo was instilled with a strong sense of family and a deep respect for his culture. This upbringing would later shape his career as a professional basketball player, where he was known for his defensive prowess and his signature finger wag.

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9. Dikembe Mutombo, multilingual powerhouse

Raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Dikembe Mutombo is a multilingual powerhouse. Not only did he learn English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Tshiluba, Swahili, and Lingala growing up, but he also speaks two other Central African varieties. His impressive linguistic abilities have allowed him to communicate with people from all over the world, making him a truly global citizen.

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10. A Humanitarian Hero

Dikembe Mutombo is a renowned humanitarian who has dedicated his life to improving the living conditions of his native Democratic Republic of Congo. In 1997, he established the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, a non-profit organization that has since provided medical care, built schools, and improved access to clean water for thousands of people in the Congo. Mutombo's work has been recognized by the United Nations, the United States Congress, and the President of the United States.

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