Note: This story is developing and will be updated with additional reflections on Dikembe Mutombo’s life and legacy.
The Georgetown community mourns the loss of Dikembe Mutombo (C’91), who passed away on Sept. 30 at the age of 58 from brain cancer. An All-American on the men’s basketball team at Georgetown and NBA Hall of Fame player, Mutombo dedicated his life to philanthropic and humanitarian work to advocate for those in need.
“Dikembe Mutombo was the embodiment of the spirit of Georgetown,” said Joseph Ferrara, Georgetown vice president and chief of staff to President John J. DeGioia. “From his prolific college and professional basketball careers to his tireless work in retirement to improve the lives of those in need of better health and opportunity, he lived Georgetown’s values in a way we always will hold with great esteem and pride.
“His passing is a tremendous loss for the Georgetown community and indeed the United States, Congo, and everywhere else where he uplifted those around him. On behalf of President John J. DeGioia and the Georgetown community, I offer my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s family, friends, teammates and all who knew and loved him.”
Throughout his life, Mutombo, who studied linguistics at Georgetown, stayed involved with the university, including as a member of the university’s Board of Directors.
“Dikembe’s renowned record of service to the world included service to Georgetown, as a member of our Board of Directors from 2017 to 2023,” said Board Chair Tom Reynolds (B’74). “He brought to that work the expansiveness, humanity, and global perspective for which he was known in all of his endeavors. His impact on Georgetown as a student, athlete, alumnus and institutional leader was incalculable. We are deeply grateful for his service and send Rose and his children our sincere condolences.”
In three seasons on the Hilltop, Mutombo was a two-time All-Big East selection and twice named Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He helped capture one Big East regular season title and the 1989 Big East Tournament title.
After Georgetown, Mutombo became legendary for his defensive prowess in his 18 seasons in the NBA and won four NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards, culminating with his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
After retiring from the NBA, Mutombo became a full-time advocate and ambassador with a goal of helping people in need gain access to the health services and educational and economic opportunities necessary to live better lives and for their children to become healthy, productive members of their communities.
In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, with a mission to improve the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2007, sponsored by the foundation and named after Mutombo’s mother, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital opened in Congo and has since treated nearly 200,000 men, women and children.
Mutombo also served on the board of the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
In 2002, Mutombo was the inaugural recipient of Georgetown’s Samuel A. Halsey Jr. award, honoring Black alumni who demonstrate commitment and service to the university and the wider community. In 2010, he received an honorary degree from Georgetown and was the recipient of the 2010 John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award, which was named after Mutombo’s coach at Georgetown and recognizes an individual or group that has demonstrated outstanding service in Georgetown’s Jesuit tradition of being people for others. In 2013 he received the Timothy S. Healy, S.J. Award from the GUAA for his outstanding and exemplary community, public and professional service in support of humanitarian causes and advancements for the benefit of humanity.
