“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said of Mutombo, who was named the NBA’s first global ambassador. His love for basketball was immense. It was evident in his efforts to elevate the sport and the league while playing and also afterward. Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts for his home country and fellow athletes will always be remembered by the people. Through his unwavering commitment to improving lives in his native Congo and supporting fellow athletes, Mutombo became a symbol of hope, compassion, and resilience. Dikembe Mutombo will always be remembered not just as a Hall of Famer, but as a global giant with a heart as immense as his presence. So, his family made a heartwarming gesture for Mutombo, months after his passing.

The NBA world wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the legend. Back on September 30, 2024, the world was hit with the news of the NBA legend who passed away from brain cancer. The gentle giant had a generous heart and believed in giving back to the community! He kept himself surrounded by the sport, community, and his family. His priority was always those whom he loved. To honor the NBA legend, his family orchestrated a special event to celebrate his life and legacy.

The late legend’s family shared an old family picture on the IG page along with the caption, “Family meant everything to Dikembe. Join us in honoring a man who was more than just a legend on Saturday, May 31st. More details in the bio. ❤️” As per the post, everyone who was inspired by him is urged to join the event. This special public memorial will be held at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion on May 31. As the family reminded again through the IG post, this will be open to the public.

The event will feature speeches, tributes, and musical performances. His family also organized the Dikembe Mutombo Memorial Fund (DMMF) so that it could continue to help the projects that he was part of. “Atlanta has been our home for almost thirty years, and the outpouring of love and support for Dikembe has been overwhelming. In recognition of this incredible community and all the wonderful people who stood alongside Dikembe throughout his journey, we wanted to create a space for everyone to celebrate his life and the profound impact he had in this community and throughout the world,” Mutombo’s wife, Rose Mutombo, said.

One of Dikembe Mutombo’s most remarkable and enduring contributions is the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, which is a beacon of hope born from a son’s love and a hero’s vision. Opened in 2007 in Kinshasa and named after his beloved mother, this $29 million, 300-bed facility stands not just as a hospital, but as a lifeline for thousands who once had little or no access to quality healthcare. In a region long overlooked by medical infrastructure, Mutombo built more than walls and wards. Today, the hospital continues to serve as a symbol of what compassion, rooted in purpose, can achieve.

The 8× NBA All-Star’s impact both on and off the court is undeniable. He earned Defensive Player of the Year honors four times and ranks second in all-time blocked shots. After years of his meaningful contributions throughout the sport and the community, tributes for the NBA legend came from all over the world and across all generations.

Former NBA players pour in tributes for Dikembe Mutombo 

Mutombo’s iconic finger wag remains unforgettable in the NBA community, while his off-court philanthropy continues to inspire millions. For his hometown, Kinshasa, the 7-foot-2 legend helped build a $29 million hospital that provides essential treatment and facilities that were previously unavailable. 

The hospital is named Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in honor of his mother. Mutombo also built a pre-K school in Africa named after his father. In honor of the legend, former NBA player Carmelo Anthony wrote, “You gave everything you had to the game but more importantly to your people. Your legacy lives on. Rest in Power, Dikembe.” Mutombo was drafted by the Denver Nuggets 4th pick.

He played a crucial role in helping the league’s popularity expand in Africa. In 2004, the former NBA player took a trip to Africa alongside Shawn Bradley and Malik Rose. “Words cannot express what an unbelievable person this man Dikembe was. He was first class in every way possible. The world today takes another gut punch! RIP my Friend!” Eddie A. Johnson said.

Mutombo has a heart as big as his wingspan. He stepped up for his homeland’s women’s basketball team, personally covering their uniforms and travel costs so they could follow their Olympic dreams on the global stage in Atlanta.

Early in 1997, the former NBA player founded the ‘Dikembe Mutombo Foundation’ to help improve living conditions in his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. “I was very sad to hear about Dikembe Mutombo’s passing. Dikembe was not only great on the court, but a force for good off it, admired and loved by those who got to know him,” Lakers legend Pau Gasol wrote on X. Mount Mutombo will forever remain in fans’ hearts!