Retired NBA Player Dikembe Mutombo Discusses Career, Philanthropic Mission
by Lisa Opoku
February 3, 2025
Goldman Sachs welcomed retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player Dikembe Mutombo, on November 5 in Hong Kong, for a discussion on his 18-year career as a professional athlete and philanthropic work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). More than 600 people in Asia Pacific participated in the event.
In a conversation with Lisa Opoku, chief operating officer for the Securities Division in Asia Pacific, Mutombo shared how he had to persevere in the face of adversity to achieve his goal of becoming one of the best shot blockers in the history of the NBA.
"People used to look at me saying, 'You think you're going to do it, who do you think you are, you've only played three years of basketball,'" he said. Mutombo began playing basketball as a senior in high school, moved from the DRC to the United States in 1988 to attend Georgetown University on a scholarship, and was drafted in 1991. "The decision I made, I had to prove so many people wrong, it was really challenging from inside, but I went out there."
A four-time winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and an eight-time NBA All-Star, Mutombo attributed his success to the support that he received from his parents as a child, and the guidance he received from Georgetown Hoyas basketball coach John Thompson and college teammate Alonzo Mourning. He explained that he understood early on the importance of accepting help from people and offering support to others.
"Most of the things we have in our lives, we are not born with them, someone has to give them to you," Mutombo said.
Mutombo inspired his proteges, including Yao Ming, to thank those who have helped them by 'paying it forward' and supporting communities in need. He explained that he encourages young basketball players to think about the impact they want to have on the welfare of future generations. In 1997, Mutombo founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which seeks to improve the health, education, and quality of life for people in the DRC.
"You have to prepare yourself to change the world with the time that you have playing the game of basketball, and do something great," Mutombo said. "What will people say about you tomorrow?"
Developing a personal connection to a cause before offering support is crucial to the success of any philanthropic initiative, according to Mutombo. While in the NBA, he raised $23 million to build the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital - a 300-bed, $29 million hospital located in Kinshasa - in memory of his mother. The hospital has treated more than 100,000 men, women and children since its opening in 2006.
"Choose an area that you are passionate about, no matter if it is education, healthcare or other things," Mutombo said.
The event, organized by the Asia Pacific Diversity Committee in partnership with the Securities Division, received positive feedback from participants.
"The most valuable aspect of the session was his straightforward advice about how to have the most impact in our humanitarian efforts: committing and doing something small consistently will eventually build a big and lasting legacy," one attendee said.
by Lisa Opoku
February 3, 2025
Goldman Sachs welcomed retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player Dikembe Mutombo, on November 5 in Hong Kong, for a discussion on his 18-year career as a professional athlete and philanthropic work in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). More than 600 people in Asia Pacific participated in the event.
In a conversation with Lisa Opoku, chief operating officer for the Securities Division in Asia Pacific, Mutombo shared how he had to persevere in the face of adversity to achieve his goal of becoming one of the best shot blockers in the history of the NBA.
"People used to look at me saying, 'You think you're going to do it, who do you think you are, you've only played three years of basketball,'" he said. Mutombo began playing basketball as a senior in high school, moved from the DRC to the United States in 1988 to attend Georgetown University on a scholarship, and was drafted in 1991. "The decision I made, I had to prove so many people wrong, it was really challenging from inside, but I went out there."
A four-time winner of the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award and an eight-time NBA All-Star, Mutombo attributed his success to the support that he received from his parents as a child, and the guidance he received from Georgetown Hoyas basketball coach John Thompson and college teammate Alonzo Mourning. He explained that he understood early on the importance of accepting help from people and offering support to others.
"Most of the things we have in our lives, we are not born with them, someone has to give them to you," Mutombo said.
Mutombo inspired his proteges, including Yao Ming, to thank those who have helped them by 'paying it forward' and supporting communities in need. He explained that he encourages young basketball players to think about the impact they want to have on the welfare of future generations. In 1997, Mutombo founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which seeks to improve the health, education, and quality of life for people in the DRC.
"You have to prepare yourself to change the world with the time that you have playing the game of basketball, and do something great," Mutombo said. "What will people say about you tomorrow?"
Developing a personal connection to a cause before offering support is crucial to the success of any philanthropic initiative, according to Mutombo. While in the NBA, he raised $23 million to build the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital - a 300-bed, $29 million hospital located in Kinshasa - in memory of his mother. The hospital has treated more than 100,000 men, women and children since its opening in 2006.
"Choose an area that you are passionate about, no matter if it is education, healthcare or other things," Mutombo said.
The event, organized by the Asia Pacific Diversity Committee in partnership with the Securities Division, received positive feedback from participants.
"The most valuable aspect of the session was his straightforward advice about how to have the most impact in our humanitarian efforts: committing and doing something small consistently will eventually build a big and lasting legacy," one attendee said.
