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 Georgetown men’s basketball team who would go on to a Hall of Fame career in the NBA. In addition to his success on the field, Mutombo dedicated his life to philanthropic and humanitarian work and was a full-time advocate for those in need. Mutombo served on the Georgetown University Board of Governors from 2017-2023. Mutombo died on September 30 at the age of 58 from brain cancer.

“Dikembe Mutombo embodied 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 career to his tireless post-retirement work to improve the lives of those in need of better health and opportunity, he lived Georgetown’s values ​​in a way that we will always hold with great esteem and pride will cherish. His passing is a tremendous loss to the Georgetown community as well as to the United States, Congo and everywhere else he uplifted those around him. On behalf of President John J. DeGioia and the Georgetown community, I extend 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 remains 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, which recognizes distinguished individuals on the 25th anniversary of the conclusion of their college athletic 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, 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 blocking leader for 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 twice received the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award (2001, 2009), presented annually to a player, coach or athletic trainer who demonstrates outstanding service and dedication to the community. In 2009, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern named him 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 raise awareness of important social issues. problems. In 2018, Mutombo received the NBA and Turner’s Sager Strong Award, which is 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. Recipients of the Jackson Award embrace the game’s core values: hard work, pursuit of improvement and dedication to others. Beyond the game, they reflect the values ​​of Mannie Jackson’s lifelong mission to overcome obstacles; challenging the status quo, taking responsibility for his or her actions while striving for the highest standard of excellence. It is a commitment that transcends personal reward and continually challenges the human spirit. In their community, this person is a recognized leader and catalyst for change. Ultimately, they are unique individuals who lead by example and demonstrate a philosophy of respect, teamwork, dedication and human compassion in all aspects of their lives.

After retiring from the NBA, Mutombo became a full-time advocate and ambassador with the goal of helping those in need access the health care, educational and economic opportunities needed to live better lives and to empower their children and become healthy and productive. members of their communities.

In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, with the mission of improving the health, education and quality of life of the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. A major project of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation was the construction of a new general hospital in the capital Kinshasa. In December 2007, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital was opened in Congo at a cost of $29 million. The hospital, named in memory of Mutombo’s beloved mother, has treated nearly 200,000 men, women and children.

Mutombo also served on the boards of the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the US Fund for UNICEF.

“Georgetown lost one of its best players 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-wagging, but for those of us who 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 using 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 which will not be forgotten.”

As a member of the Georgetown Board of Directors, Mutombo served on the Athletics Committee and the Main Campus Affairs Committee. He received a Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) from Georgetown in 2010.