An announcement has been made that Nigerian telecom operator, Globacom, will honor the late Congolese-American basketball legend and philanthropist, Dikembe Mutombo, on Cable News Network International’s show, African Voices Playmakers.
Sponsored by a data solutions provider, the program will showcase Mutombo’s impressive NBA career and his significant contributions as a mentor and philanthropist.
The 30-minute episode is set to debut on Saturday at 7:30 a.m. with a repeat airing at 11 a.m. on the same day.
Subsequent broadcasts are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, with reruns planned for the following weekend to ensure that fans and aspiring athletes across Africa can witness the enduring impact of Mutombo’s life and career.
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukaba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, known as ‘Mount Mutombo’ for his defensive prowess, was born on June 25, 1966. Despite studying Medicine at Georgetown University, he pursued a successful career as a professional basketball player, spanning 18 seasons in the NBA.
Before his passing due to brain cancer in September 2024, Mutombo founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to enhance living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
He established himself as a legend and mentor to a new wave of African basketball players, including his son, Ryan, two nephews, and other young talents from the continent like rising NBA stars Yves Missi and Josh Okogie.
The program will feature 20-year-old Missi, a Cameroonian player with the New Orleans Pelicans, and 26-year-old Nigerian-American shooting guard Okojie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets. They will discuss how Mutombo’s influence continues to shape the future of the game and empower young athletes in Africa.
The show airs at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday with a repeat at 11 a.m. on the same day. Additional repeats are scheduled for Sunday and Monday, with more reruns planned for the following weekend.