The late Congolese-American National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo’s efforts as a humanitarian figure and a guide to future basketball players on the continent are highlighted this weekend in CNN International’s magazine program, African Voices Playmakers. Globacom, a provider of data solutions, is funding the initiative.
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Name in full: Dikembe Mutombo Because of his defensive prowess, Mpolondo Mukaba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo was simply referred to as “Mount Mutombo.” Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 25, 1966, he attended Georgetown University in the United States to study medicine. But he decided to pursue his love of basketball, and he played in the NBA for eighteen incredible seasons.
To help his parents in the DRC live better, Dikembe founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. At the age of 58, he tragically lost his arduous fight with brain cancer in September 2024. On the pitch, he continues to be a source of inspiration for young people of African heritage.
His son Ryan, his two nephews, and several young African basketball players—two of whom are now rising NBA stars, Yves Missi and Josh Okogie—are among the new generation of African basketball players who benefited from his coaching.
The 26-year-old Nigerian-American shooting guard Okojie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the United States of America, and Missi, a 20-year-old Cameroonian professional basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans, will discuss Dikembe’s impact and their respective successful international basketball careers to date.
On Saturday, the 30-minute program will appear on DSTV Channel 401 at 7.30 a.m., with a repeat broadcast at 11 a.m. that same day. Other reruns will air at 3.30 a.m. and 6.p.m. on Sunday and at 3 a.m. on Monday. Next Saturday at 7.30 a.m. and 11 a.m., Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m., and Monday at 4 a.m., there will be further repetitions
