NBA’s first global ambassador and then his origins from Congo, no wonder Dikembe Mutombo has a huge popularity in Africa. So much so that the late NBA legend is considered to be the role model of the growth of basketball in Africa. Honouring his legacy will be the 2019-founded Basketball Africa League throughout its upcoming season.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Mutombo’s one of the many contributions to society was in Congo, Africa. He set up the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation with a simple yet powerful mission: to improve living conditions in Africa. One of his most remarkable contributions came through the construction of a 170-bed hospital in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital, in 1997. Over the years, this facility has treated around 500,000 people. Thus proving that Mutombo’s impact stretched far beyond blocked shots and finger wags. And now, the BAL is stepping up to celebrate everything he stood for.
“The BAL will honor NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo throughout Season 5, including a ‘DM55’ patch [a tribute to his jersey number 55] on all player jerseys and moments of silence ahead of each conference group phase,” read a post from the league’s official Instagram account. It’s a touching way to ensure that young African athletes, many of whom grew up idolizing him, never forget the giant whose heart was just as big as his game.
And speaking of the game, Mutombo’s basketball resume is truly deserving of this honor. He spent 18 years in the NBA, earned 8 All-Star selections, won 4 Defensive Player of the Year awards, and led the league in blocked shots 3 times. Even today, he holds the second spot for the most blocks in NBA history.
That kind of dominance on defense made him a no-brainer for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, where he was enshrined in 2015. But what made Mutombo truly special was how he used his platform. He wasn’t just an athlete—he was a humanitarian, a leader, and a role model for an entire continent. And BAL will be celebrating his legacy as a whole this season. However, this is not the first recognition he’ll be receiving associated with the continent this year.
NBA’s unique honor for Dikembe Mutombo, recognizing exceptional work in Africa
In February, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced the creation of the NBA Africa Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award. An annual recognition for individuals or organizations working to improve health, education, or economic opportunities across Africa.
Beginning next year, the award will be presented annually, with the honoree receiving a financial grant to support their humanitarian work. On top of that, NBA Africa will contribute to a charity of the recipient’s choice. Thus ensuring the impact extends even further.
“Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,” Silver remarked. “This new award and the basketball courts built in his name will honor Dikembe’s extraordinary legacy as a global humanitarian.”
In another powerful tribute, Silver revealed that NBA Africa will build 55 courts across the continent in honor of Mutombo’s iconic jersey number. The initiative kicks off in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, the place where his love for the game first took root. Mutombo may be gone, but his impact is far from over.
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