Dikembe Mutombo: Barack Obama Eulogizes Congolese Born Basketballer

Posted by: Eninu William in World news October 1, 2024

Former US President Barack Obama has eulogized former basketballer, Congolese-born Dikembe Mutombo who succumbed to brain cancer last evening. Obama called him one of the best basketballers and one of the best defensive shot blockers of all time.

The former US President said that the deceased’s work on and off the court inspired many generations of young people across Africa.

“Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best shot blockers and defensive players of all time. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa His work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their impact off the court. Michelle and I are thinking of Dikembe’s family and everyone who knew and loved him,” he wrote.

Who was Dikembe?

He was born as Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacques Wamutombo June 25, 1966 in Kinshasa, D.R. Congo.

The basketballer was 58 by the time of his death. He died at his home in Atlanta. Apparently, Dikembe was one of basketball’s most feared shot blockers and admired humanitarians.

Mutombo rejected 3,289 shots. This is the second most in NBA history and it was achieved during his long storied career that included stints in Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.

Many of those blocked shots were followed by an intimidating finger wag. This was telling opponents that it was in their best interest not to shoot the basketball within reach of the 7-foot-2 star.

Additionally, Mutombo was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year four times. He went to the US to pursue his dreams of becoming a doctor. However, his basketball skills caught the eye of many at the campus of Georgetown University.

His career spanned from 1991-2009. Despite turning out to be a celebrated basketballer, he didn’t ditch his education. Mutombo earned his bachelor’s degree in 1991 and then an honorary doctorate from Georgetown in 2010.

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