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BILL CLINTON CONGRATULATES MUTOMBO
Houston, Texas
May 16, 2025
By MARK BERMAN
Houston Rockets center Dikembe Mutombo was overwhelmed Friday when he received a Federal Express package that contained a personal letter from former President Bill Clinton congratulating him on his career.
Mr. Clinton also told Mutombo he looks forward to working with him in the future to help make the world a better place.
"This means a lot me," Mutombo said in an interview Saturday with Fox 26 Sports in Los Angeles.
"That tells you so much about you as a man and lets the world know they appreciate everything you have been able to do in your 18-year (career)."
Last month Mutombo became the only two-time recipient of the J.Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award given annually by the Professional Basketball writers association to the NBA player or coach for outstanding service and dedication to the community.
"He wanted to congratulate me for everything I've been able to do in my life during my 18 years of playing in the NBA," Mutombo said of Mr. Clinton's letter. "He wanted to let me know the world is very proud of me.
"Mutombo has led the way in building the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The project has cost $29 million so far. Mutombo has donated $19 million toward the project and continues his efforts to raise money for the hospital named after his mother.
Mutombo is thrilled the former president wants to work with him in the future on humanitarian projects.
"He said that he is one phone call away for anything I need and that he is looking forward to working with me as my career of basketball is over to try and make the world a better place," Mutombo said.
"I was so happy. I couldn't believe when I got my Fed Ex and I opened it and I was like whoa."
Mutombo, who had announced earlier in the season this would be his last year in the NBA, suffered a season and career-ending injury last month during the Rockets' first round playoff series against Portland.
The 7'2 center is an eight-time NBA All-Star and a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year.
While he can't play anymore because of the injury, Mutombo is with his Rockets teammates who take on the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday in game seven of their Western Conference Semifinals.
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