Dikembe Mutombo quotes

Dikembe Mutombo is a Congolese-American former professional basketball player and humanitarian. Renowned for his shot-blocking ability and defensive prowess, he became one of the NBA's greatest centers. He is also widely recognized for his charitable work and efforts to improve health care in Africa. Here are 22 of his quotes:

I come from a large family, but I was not raised with a fortune. Something more was left me, and that was family values.

Dikembe Mutombo

God put us here to prepare this place for the next generation. That's our job. Raising children and helping the community, that's preparing for the next generation.

Dikembe Mutombo

There are people out there dying every day, so when you wake up, you just have to thank the Man Upstairs for another day on this planet. There's not much else we can ask for.

Dikembe Mutombo

I've always felt obligated to help those less fortunate than me. It's an obligation that anyone who has a chance to be in the NBA should feel and act upon.

Dikembe Mutombo

I cannot forget the place that I come from. The Congo is much in need.

Dikembe Mutombo

After spending more than 17 years playing for the NBA, in the summertime, I always came back to community service and different basketball clinics.

Dikembe Mutombo

I believe in the Democratic party, and their philosophy and what they stand for - for the poor people.

Dikembe Mutombo

When I travel around the globe, I try as hard as I can to represent the NBA and the game of basketball to the best of my abilities. I get to go around the world and not only share the game but also my philanthropic work. Building a hospital in the Congo is one of the proudest achievements of my life.

Dikembe Mutombo

The NBA is becoming a global game.

Dikembe Mutombo

My decision leaving the Nuggets was based on the organization not saying they had the cap room to sign me.

Dikembe Mutombo

It's easy to be a spokesman and ambassador for a great organization like the NBA. I thank Commissioner David Stern for putting that trust in me to serve the NBA around the globe.

Dikembe Mutombo

The doctors and nurses at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital are saving lives every day and helping improve health care in the DRC which has been ravaged by more than a decade of war and disease.

Dikembe Mutombo

Scores of Congolese die each day unnecessarily due to the lack of access to healthcare and modern medicine.

Dikembe Mutombo

I usually just speak in English when I'm on the basketball court. For some reason, my mind never even tried to cross any other language when I'm playing basketball.

Dikembe Mutombo

I created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation back in 1997 for the purpose of going in and improving the living conditions of my people on the African continent, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo where I came from. Out first mission was to go and build a new hospital. Our next mission was to build a school.

Dikembe Mutombo

I'm so glad I didn't become a doctor, because I do more than any doctor can do. I am an administrator, a CEO, doctor, psychiatrist, an activist, a campaign funder. I think I did well.

Dikembe Mutombo

I am not in politics. 'President Mutombo?' No, no, no. There has never been a politician in my family, and I am not going to try to be the first one.

Dikembe Mutombo

I don't think God said we should all be soft. My job is to compete, and the best prevails. I will continue to play, and that's the way I'm succeeding in my life. If I hit you by mistake, all I can say is 'I'm sorry,' and I keep moving on.

Dikembe Mutombo

I was not very strong growing up, and my uncle used to look at me, like, 'This kid is not growing up, he is growing tall but he can be broken like a banana.' The banana in Congo is called 'Dikembe.' So my uncle start calling me, 'Dikembe, Dikembe, look at you Dikembe, you cannot even stand up.' It took a long time for me to walk.

Dikembe Mutombo