Kuminga reveals Mutombo’s significant impact on his NBA journey originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The sudden passing of Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo rocked the basketball world on Monday morning, with Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga among those blinded by the tragic news.
Kuminga, who like Mutombo, was born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, detailed how effective the legendary big man was during his own journey to the NBA.
“It was crazy news early in the morning. It’s very sad. Great man,” Kuminga told reporters at Warriors Media Day at Chase Center on Monday. “I met him a few times and shared moments, and we all look up to him. Almost every Congolese kid. Every African kid coming from Africa, one of the first Congolese who ever played in the NBA, someone who had a great career.
“If you look at the things that he’s done, just based on basketball, how he’s helped build a lot of things in the country. He’s helped a lot of kids come in, and they reach their goals. He was a great man, and it’s just very sad that that happened. We will all miss him.
“He was a very cool guy. A lot of people — maybe a lot of people didn’t know who he was, but once you sit down with him and just talk to him, he’s a very happy person.”
Mutombo spent 17 seasons in the NBAbecoming one of the most feared defensemen in league history during stints with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets.
Mutombo was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, eight-time All-Star, two-time rebounding champion and also led the league in blocks three times. He earned three All-NBA selections and six All-Defensive nods during his storied career.
Known for his trademark block party and infectiously warm energy, Mutombo leaves behind an irreplaceable basketball legacy that forever cements him among the sport’s most prominent figures.
