April 23, 200917 yr If there was a wing in the HOF for humanitarianism, he would be one of the charter members. 18 years, 8 all-star teams, 4 defensive POYs. Because defense and not offense was his forte, he may not be elected to the HOF, but here's hoping.
April 23, 200917 yr Pretty nice list of great things this man has done... Humanitarian work A well-known humanitarian, Mutombo started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. His efforts earned him the NBA's humanitarian award in 2001. For his feats, The Sporting News named him as one of the "Good Guys in Sports" in 1999 and 2000,[2] and in 1999, he was elected as one of 20 winners of the President's Service Awards, the nation's highest honor for volunteer service.[2] In 2004, he also participated in the Basketball Without Borders NBA program, where NBA stars like Shawn Bradley, Malik Rose and DeSagana Diop toured Africa to spread the word about basketball and to improve the infrastructure.[2] He also paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women's basketball team during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.[2] Mutombo is a spokesman for the international relief agency, CARE (relief) and is the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program.[12] In honor of his humanitarianism, Mutombo was invited to President George W. Bush's 2007 State of the Union Address and was referred to as a "son of the Congo" by the President in his speech,[13] Mutombo later said, "My heart was full of joy. I didn't know the President was going to say such great remarks."[14] [edit] Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital In 1997, Mutombo with the Mutombo Foundation began plans to open a $29 million, 300-bed hospital on the outskirts of his hometown, the Congolese capital of Kinshasa. Ground was broken in 2001, but construction didn't start until 2004, as Mutombo had trouble getting donations early on although Mutombo personally donated $3.5 million toward the hospital's construction.[12] Initially Mutombo had some other difficulties, almost losing the land to the government because it was not being used and having to pay refugees who had begun farming the land to leave. He also struggled to reassure some that he did not have any ulterior or political motives for the project.[12] However, the project has been on the whole very well received at all social and economic levels in Kinshasa.[12] On August 14, 2006, Dikembe donated $15 million to the completion of the hospital for its ceremonial opening on September 2, 2006. The hospital was by then named Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named for his late mother, who died of a stroke in 1997.[15] When it opened in February 2007, the $29 million facility became the first modern medical facility to be built in that area in nearly 40 years.[16] His hospital is on a 12-acre (49,000 m2) site on the outskirts of Kinshasa in Masina, where about a quarter of the city's 7.5 million residents live in poverty. It is minutes from Kinshasa's airport and near a bustling open-air market. The hospital has full telemedicine capabilities with the United States and Europe through the network established by Medical Missions for Children.[17]
April 23, 200917 yr He has had a great career. GREAT defensive player, maybe the best while he was in the league. His offensive numbers are the stats that might keep him out.
April 23, 200917 yr Pretty nice list of great things this man has done... Humanitarian work A well-known humanitarian, Mutombo started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. His efforts earned him the NBA's humanitarian award in 2001. For his feats, The Sporting News named him as one of the "Good Guys in Sports" in 1999 and 2000,[2] and in 1999, he was elected as one of 20 winners of the President's Service Awards, the nation's highest honor for volunteer service.[2] In 2004, he also participated in the Basketball Without Borders NBA program, where NBA stars like Shawn Bradley, Malik Rose and DeSagana Diop toured Africa to spread the word about basketball and to improve the infrastructure.[2] He also paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women's basketball team during the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta.[2] Mutombo is a spokesman for the international relief agency, CARE (relief) and is the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program.[12] In honor of his humanitarianism, Mutombo was invited to President George W. Bush's 2007 State of the Union Address and was referred to as a "son of the Congo" by the President in his speech,[13] Mutombo later said, "My heart was full of joy. I didn't know the President was going to say such great remarks."[14] [edit] Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital In 1997, Mutombo with the Mutombo Foundation began plans to open a $29 million, 300-bed hospital on the outskirts of his hometown, the Congolese capital of Kinshasa. Ground was broken in 2001, but construction didn't start until 2004, as Mutombo had trouble getting donations early on although Mutombo personally donated $3.5 million toward the hospital's construction.[12] Initially Mutombo had some other difficulties, almost losing the land to the government because it was not being used and having to pay refugees who had begun farming the land to leave. He also struggled to reassure some that he did not have any ulterior or political motives for the project.[12] However, the project has been on the whole very well received at all social and economic levels in Kinshasa.[12] On August 14, 2006, Dikembe donated $15 million to the completion of the hospital for its ceremonial opening on September 2, 2006. The hospital was by then named Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named for his late mother, who died of a stroke in 1997.[15] When it opened in February 2007, the $29 million facility became the first modern medical facility to be built in that area in nearly 40 years.[16] His hospital is on a 12-acre (49,000 m2) site on the outskirts of Kinshasa in Masina, where about a quarter of the city's 7.5 million residents live in poverty. It is minutes from Kinshasa's airport and near a bustling open-air market. The hospital has full telemedicine capabilities with the United States and Europe through the network established by Medical Missions for Children.[17] He has done great things for his country. He is a great man.
April 23, 200917 yr Something to keep in mind is that there is no NBA Hall of Fame. There is only the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame so all of his accomplishments in basketball, not just the NBA, will be considered. I never knew that until this year when MJ, Stockton etc were being put in with Rutgers womens coach. Wonder why there isn't an NBA one?
April 23, 200917 yr Anyone else see the interview on ESPN? Made me feel really bad for the guy, he really loves game.
April 23, 200917 yr I never knew that until this year when MJ, Stockton etc were being put in with Rutgers womens coach. Wonder why there isn't an NBA one? Is there league HOF? I mean MLB is called the National Baseball Hall of Fame. NFL is Pro Football Hall of Fame.
April 23, 200917 yr Is there league HOF? I mean MLB is called the National Baseball Hall of Fame. NFL is Pro Football Hall of Fame. No, there is just the Naismith Hall of Fame. It includes all levels of basketball. There are certain rules concerning how long you have to wait after retirement etc. Also I think all NBA MVPs are automatically inducted but I may be wrong about that one.
April 23, 200917 yr His body of work on and off the court is worth being in the HOF! Hats off to a great person who had a great career! He always is giving back something to the community!
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