One of the most famous international basketball players in history came from the Institut Bobotoin Kinshasa, Congo. His name was Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean Jacque Wamutombo. His fans on the Hilltop and throughout the world now him as Mutombo! He graduated from Georgetown in 1991 standing 7-2 with a smile that would light up the world. I remember hearing about this project of a player who could not even dominate GU intramural basketball in Yates Field House, who would go on to legendary status in the Kenner Summer League. Indeed a young Jim Calhoun from UCONN would send many scouts to McDonough Gymnasium to see Dikembe block shots and score all of his points on dunks. Indeed Dikembe teamed with Alonzo Mourning in the years when Georgetown truly became Big Man U: Patrick Ewing to Alonzo Mourning to Dikembe Mutombo--the Legend Grew. The stories about Dikembe Mutombo throughout Georgetown University truly became the stories of legend. He hung out at the Tombs when he was not taking an early morning run to the Washington Monument and back. Even Coach John Thompson, Jr. would wear a cowboy hat to practice to take a playful jab at Dikembe's antics on campus. Mutombo will perhaps one day enter the NBA Hall of Fame. As great as his legend on the court became, he will best be remembered for his great humanitarian work in his African homeland raising money for a new hospital to care for those less fortunate. Dikembe Mutombo is a great example of the Georgetown Jesuit Ideal: Men and Women for Others--Dikembe: You have made us proud.
To see some highlights of Dikembe Mutombo go to:
Hoya Hoop Club on Roundball: Man to Man Defense
We are Georgetown!
Dr. Thomas A. Wong
Hoya Hoop Club Vice President--Communications
Proud Member of Generation Ewing
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