Georgetown Mourns the Passing of Alumnus and NBA Superstar Dikembe Mutombo - Georgetown University
Please note: This is an ongoing story that will be regularly updated with more insights into Dikembe Mutombo’s life and legacy.
The Georgetown community is heartbroken over the passing of Dikembe Mutombo (C’91), who died on September 30 at 58 after battling brain cancer. A star on Georgetown’s men’s basketball team and a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, Mutombo devoted his life to charitable and humanitarian efforts, always striving to support those in need.
"Dikembe Mutombo truly represented the essence of Georgetown," remarked Joseph Ferrara, the university’s vice president and chief of staff for President John J. DeGioia. "His remarkable achievements in both college and professional basketball, along with his dedicated efforts after retiring to enhance the lives of those seeking better health and opportunities, exemplified the values of Georgetown that we will always cherish and take immense pride in."
“His death is a significant loss for the Georgetown community and for the wider world, including the United States and Congo, where he inspired countless individuals. On behalf of President John J. DeGioia and the entire Georgetown community, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to Dikembe’s family, friends, teammates, and everyone who had the privilege of knowing and caring about him.”
Throughout his life, Mutombo remained actively engaged with Georgetown University, even serving on the Board of Directors.
"Dikembe's impressive commitment to serving others included his time at Georgetown, where he was part of our Board of Directors from 2017 to 2023," stated Board Chair Tom Reynolds (B'74). "He approached this role with the broad outlook, compassion, and international awareness that characterized everything he did. His influence on Georgetown as a student, athlete, alumnus, and leader was immeasurable. We are truly thankful for his contributions and extend our heartfelt condolences to Rose and his children."
During his three years on the Hilltop, Mutombo earned recognition as an All-Big East player twice and was awarded the Big East Defensive Player of the Year on two occasions. He played a key role in securing one Big East regular season championship as well as winning the Big East Tournament in 1989.
Following his time at Georgetown, Mutombo gained fame for his exceptional defensive skills during his 18-year career in the NBA. He earned four NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was ultimately honored with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
Following his retirement from the NBA, Mutombo dedicated himself completely to advocacy and outreach. His aim was to support individuals in need by providing access to essential healthcare, educational resources, and economic opportunities. He worked towards ensuring that both adults and their children could lead healthier, more productive lives within their communities.
In 1997, he established the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, aiming to enhance health, education, and overall well-being for the residents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2007, the foundation funded the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named after Mutombo's mother. Since then, the hospital has provided care for almost 200,000 individuals, including men, women, and children.
Mutombo was also a member of the boards for the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation, and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s National Board.
In 2002, Mutombo became the first-ever winner of Georgetown’s Samuel A. Halsey Jr. award, which celebrates Black alumni dedicated to serving both the university and the larger community. In 2010, he was honored with an honorary degree from Georgetown and also received the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award, named after his coach at the university, which recognizes individuals or groups committed to the Jesuit ideal of serving others. Additionally, in 2013, he was awarded the Timothy S. Healy, S.J. Award by the Georgetown University Alumni Association for his remarkable contributions to community service and humanitarian efforts aimed at improving lives.
"Dikembe served as a role model for our alumni community, exemplifying the Jesuit principle of ‘people for others,’” stated Julia Farr (C’99), the executive director of the Georgetown University Alumni Association (GUAA). "We recognized Dikembe at our annual Wall Street Alliance Celebration for being a trailblazer, a visionary, and an innovator who is dedicated to finding solutions and making a positive impact both locally and globally. We will always appreciate Dikembe’s incredible contributions to our university as a valued member of the Georgetown family, and we extend our heartfelt sympathies to the Mutombo family."
“Georgetown has lost one of its legends in Dikembe Mutombo,” stated Lee Reed, the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. “While basketball enthusiasts will recall his exceptional defense, impressive rebounding skills, and iconic finger wag, those of us who were close to him will deeply miss him as a father, teammate, mentor, and friend.”
"Dikembe made a significant impact on the Georgetown community in numerous ways, yet he will primarily be remembered for his extraordinary ability to use his status as a Hall of Fame basketball player to enhance his humanitarian work worldwide. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the Mutombo family; Dikembe was a genuine Hoya and will always be remembered."
