The Georgetown community is in mourning following the death of Dikembe Mutombo (C’91), who died on September 30 at the age of 58 due to brain cancer. Mutombo was an All-American player on Georgetown’s men’s basketball team and later became an NBA Hall of Fame player. He was known for his extensive philanthropic and humanitarian efforts aimed at helping those in need.
“Dikembe Mutombo embodied the spirit of Georgetown,” stated Joseph Ferrara, vice president and chief of staff to President John J. DeGioia. “From his remarkable college and professional basketball careers to his relentless work in retirement to enhance the lives of those in need, he truly exemplified Georgetown’s values, which we will always hold in high regard.”
Ferrara expressed his condolences, stating, “His passing is a tremendous loss for the Georgetown community, the United States, Congo, and all the places he uplifted. On behalf of President John J. DeGioia and the entire Georgetown community, I extend my deepest sympathies to Dikembe’s family, friends, teammates, and all who knew and loved him.”
Throughout his life, Mutombo maintained a close connection with Georgetown, serving on the university’s Board of Directors.
“Dikembe’s distinguished record of global service included his time at Georgetown, where he was a board member from 2017 to 2023,” noted Board Chair Tom Reynolds (B’74). “He brought a sense of expansiveness, humanity, and a global perspective to our mission. His contributions to Georgetown as a student, athlete, alumnus, and institutional leader were immeasurable. We are truly thankful for his service and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Rose, and their children.”
During his three seasons at Georgetown, Mutombo was named a two-time All-Big East selection and twice earned the title of Big East Defensive Player of the Year. He played a pivotal role in securing both a Big East regular season title and the Big East Tournament title in 1989.
Following his time at Georgetown, Mutombo enjoyed an illustrious 18-year NBA career, renowned for his defensive skills. He garnered four NBA Defensive Player of the Year Awards and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
After retiring from basketball, Mutombo devoted himself to advocacy and ambassadorship, striving to provide access to health services and educational and economic opportunities for those in need, ensuring they could improve their lives and support their communities.
In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which aims to enhance health, education, and overall quality of life for people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In 2007, the foundation sponsored the opening of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, named after Mutombo’s mother, which has since treated nearly 200,000 patients.
Mutombo also held various board positions with impactful organizations, including the National Constitution Center, Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation, and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
He was honored in 2002 as the first recipient of Georgetown’s Samuel A. Halsey Jr. award, which recognizes Black alumni dedicated to service. In 2010, he received an honorary degree from Georgetown and the John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award, named after his coach at Georgetown. In 2013, he was awarded the Timothy S. Healy, S.J. Award from the GUAA for his outstanding contributions to humanitarian causes.