Longtime NBA center and former Philadelphia 76er Dikembe Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Friday evening, along with the other 10 members of the class of 2015.
"When I was a NBA rookie, someone asked me what I thought my career would be like. I never dreamed it would include this. I'm so honored to be in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
I only want to be remembered as one of the best defensive players to ever play this game. I'd like to think that I accomplished that."
Mutombo went on to honor the two presenters with him on stage: his college coach at Georgetown from 1988-1991, John Thompson, and former NBA commissioner David Stern.
"I learned a lot under coach Thompson," said Mutombo. "I learned about the game of basketball, but most importantly I learned how to be a man in this society."
"He's really a father figure to all of us who got a chance to play for him at Georgetown University."
When thanking Stern, Mutombo praised him for his dedication to NBA Cares, and the league's 'commitment to improving communities all around the world.'
Mutombo also thanked Stern for the opportunity given to him to carry out his 'life mission' as global ambassador, particularly for his native continent of Africa.
"It means a great deal to me to see current and former players like Hakeem Olajuwon, and coaches, giving back and making a difference in the people's lives."'
Spending 19 seasons in the league, Mutombo ranks second all-time in blocks (3,289) behind Olajuwon's 3,830.
"I give God the glory for blessing me and surrounding me with so many wonderful people," Mutombo continued.
"This is including, first of all, my parents: Samuel Mutombo, who left us two years ago, and my mother, Biamba Marie Mutombo, who inspired me to look at the world with love and kindness."
Biamba Marie unfortunately passed away in her own living room in 1998 after a shooting occurred in the streets of Congo relating to civil war. This has been one of his prime motivations to help establish a hospital in the area, at the same time helping to restore its society.
After thanking members of his first two teams in the league, the Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks, Mutombo went on to acknowledge his time spent in Philadelphia and his former coach, Larry Brown.
"Larry Brown. LB as we call him.
Thank you for bringing me to Philadelphia and for allowing me to play with the phenomenal Allen Iverson, who will stand here soon in Springfield."
According to reports Friday evening, Iverson is reportedly eligible to join the Hall as early as 2016 if elected.
Mutombo then showed his appreciation to Houston Rockets owner Leslie Alexander and president Tad Brown for bringing him there to allow him play alongside his best friend, Yao Ming.
The eight-time All-Star then reminisced to the beginning stages of his playing career, as well as his family and roots.
"I always thank my oldest brother, Ilo Mutombo, for taking me to the basketball court and the age of 17 for the first time, when I didn't want to go. ….
I'm proud that I was only the third African player to play in the NBA … to come to the U.S. with nothing and now, I'm part of the NBA history. It means a lot to me.
I want to dedicate this honor to my lovely wife, Rose Mutombo, the mother of my three, beautiful children."
Playing basketball allowed me to become a global citizen. It's because of the game that I was able to build a hospital [in Congo], which has now served more than 140,000 people.
My life mission is to continue to change the living condition of the people in Africa. I may not have not won the championship, but I'm a champion to so many people."
With the Sixers from 2000-2002, Mutombo scored 1,224 points and blocked 256 shots over 106 games and 3,782 minutes of play.
Other members that were inducted into this year's class include: Dick Bavetta, John Calipari, Louis Dampier, Lindsay Gaze, Spencer Haywood, Tom Heinsohn, John Isaacs, Lisa Leslie, George Raveling and Jo Jo White.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is a contributor to Sixerdelphia.com.
