Dikembe Mutombo

Dikembe Mutombo was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He arrived in the United States to attend Georgetown University and graduated with dual degrees in linguistics and diplomacy. After 18 years of professional basketball Mutombo retired in 2009 and was appointed by the NBA commissioner to the position of global ambassador. Mutombo serves on the boards of UNICEF, the National Constitution Center, Opportunity International, and Special Olympics International. He is the chairman and president of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation. In 2007, the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital was opened in the Congo and it has since treated more than 100 000 patients. Mutombo recently received the Congressional Humanitarian Award. Updated 2010