NEW YORK — Dikembe Mutombo’s towering presence on the basketball court made him a household name. With his signature finger wag and unmatched shot-blocking ability, he dominated the NBA for nearly two decades. But it’s his legacy off the court that set him apart as a true icon of compassion, humility and service.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo’s rise to basketball stardom was anything but ordinary. Raised in a practicing Christian family, faith became the foundation of his life. It is also what drove him to be one of the biggest humanitarians the NBA has ever seen.

His parents, both Baptists, instilled in him values of kindness, humility and service to others. These principles would shape Mutombo’s identity, both as a man and as a player.

“Dikembe’s trademark finger wag after blocking a shot was the exact opposite of his selfless and welcoming nature off the court. Dikembe was a true global ambassador and humanitarian,” Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry recalled during the NBA Legends Brunch this past Sunday in San Francisco.

Growing up, Mutombo had dreams of becoming a doctor, driven by a deep desire to help others. But his athletic talent redirected his path. In 1991, he was drafted into the NBA after playing at Georgetown University, quickly earning recognition as one of the most dominant defensive players the league had ever seen.

Mutombo, who was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia ‘76ers, New York Knicks and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 center was an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection after averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game in his pro career. Those stats earned him the nickname “Mount Mutombo.”

A life filled with generosity

Despite his many successes on the court, Mutombo’s heart never wavered from his desire to give back and travel the world — although his Christian beliefs never lagged too far behind.

In 2018, Mutombo described his first visit to Jerusalem as an emotional experience. He said he thought about his parents, who died before they could see the place they had spent their lives reading about in the Bible.

“My parents might be gone, but they instilled in me the dream of coming here, and I’ve made it,” he said at the time. “I can’t believe I’m really here.”

Mutombo said that coming from a conflict-ridden country convinced him of the power of sport for good.

“Who doesn’t know about all the wars that have taken place here?” he said. “But on the court you don’t talk about whose skin is darker, which ethnicity group you come from, which language you speak. You just play the game.”

In 1997, he launched the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, focused on improving health care, education, and economic opportunities in his native Congo and across Africa. His most significant contribution came in the form of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named in honor of his late mother.

The $29 million hospital, located in Kinshasa, was a labor of love, designed to provide essential health care to those in need. More than just a medical facility, the hospital also trained local doctors and nurses, ensuring that its impact would endure for generations to come.

Mutombo’s humanitarian work extended far beyond his foundation. He partnered with organizations like the United Nations and the Global Health Council, working tirelessly to raise awareness about the critical need for medical resources across Africa. His efforts made him a bridge between the basketball community and the global humanitarian movement, inspiring others to use their success for the greater good.

Despite his towering fame and physical presence, Mutombo is known also for his humility. He always remained grounded, crediting others for his success.

“I am a servant, and I will continue to serve,” he once said.

Whether through mentoring young players or donating a portion of his earnings to causes close to his heart, Mutombo’s actions reflect his unwavering commitment to service.

In 2004, he participated in the Basketball Without Borders NBA program, where stars such as Shawn Bradley, Malik Rose and DeSagana Diop toured Africa to spread the word about basketball and to improve the infrastructure. He also paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women's basketball team during the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta.

New NBA award in his honor

Even after retiring from the game in 2009, Mutombo’s legacy of faith and philanthropy continued to shine — he was the NBA’s first global ambassador — until his death last September at the age of 58 as a result of brain cancer.

In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced this past weekend, in conjunction with the league’s All-Star Game festivities, the creation of the “NBA Africa Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award.”

The new honor, which will be awarded annually, will recognize individuals or organizations working to advance health, education or economic opportunity across Africa, carrying forward Mutombo’s mission to uplift the continent.

Additionally, NBA Africa will commemorate Mutombo’s impact by donating 55 basketball courts to local communities, starting in Kinshasa. These courts, inspired by Mutombo’s legendary career and his iconic jersey number, are part of a broader initiative to build 1,000 courts across Africa in the next decade.

“Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world,” Silver said. “This new award and the basketball courts built in his name will honor Dikembe’s extraordinary legacy as a global humanitarian.”

Clemente Lisi is the executive editor of Religion Unplugged. He previously served as deputy head of news at the New York Daily News and a longtime reporter at The New York Post. Follow him on X @ClementeLisi.