Mutombo to make NBA Africa cameo

Former Houston Rockets player and NBA Hall of Fame inductee Dikembe Mutombo will return to South Africa in August to play in the NBA Africa game. Photo: EPA/Rolex Dela Pena

Former Houston Rockets player and NBA Hall of Fame inductee Dikembe Mutombo will return to South Africa in August to play in the NBA Africa game. Photo: EPA/Rolex Dela Pena

Published Feb 19, 2017

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NEW ORLEANS, USA - The great Dikembe Mutombo is unsure he can deliver more than two minutes of action on the court when the NBA brings the Africa Game back to Johannesburg in August.

“I’m still in training,” Mutombo joked. “Hopefully I can be in good enough shape to play for two minutes – those are the papers I’m filing at the league office. As long as no one scores on me, we’ll be fine.”

Mutombo and fellow Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon brought the house down at the Ellis Park Arena in 2015 when they surprised the capacity crowd in the inaugural NBA Africa Game by taking to the court for Team Africa. Olajuwon even managed to produce his famous ‘Dream Shake,’ scoring two points.

On Saturday the NBA announced it would be bringing the ‘Africa Game’ back to Johannesburg in August and Mutombo is hoping to play more than a promotional role for the event.

“I was not known for scoring in my career, I was known for great defence. As long as I can block a couple of shots and get a couple of rebounds...people just want to see me,” said Mutombo.

“That’s most important. They’re looking forward to seeing their brother coming back home.”

The eight-time All Star has been a vocal supporter for bringing an NBA game to the African continent and it was an emotional moment for both him and Olajuwon, a two-time NBA champion when they were able to display their skills on their ‘home floor’ two years ago.

“We are looking forward to some great success, we are moving (the game) to a new stadium, there’s more corporates willing to throw their support behind the game, the players are coming...it’s going to be a great day.”

The NBA has shifted this year’s 'Africa Game’ from the 5000-seater Ellis Park Arena, to the Northgate Dome, which can accommodate up to 10000 people, a sign of just how popular the event was two years ago.

The game pits the cream of African talent in the NBA – comprised of players from Africa and second generation African players – against a team of world stars.

Mutombo said it was a sign of the league’s progress in growing the game rapidly outside of the borders of the United States that such an event could take place in South Africa.

“A lot of credit must go to the former NBA commissioner, David Stern who recognised that this game is not just an American game but a global one and through his efforts he took it where no one ever thought it could go.”

Mutombo, who hails from the Democratic Republic of Congo played for six different teams in the NBA, and gained most of his success with the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks earning all eight of his All Star call-ups while representing those two franchises.

Mutombo said the popularity of the game had grown so much that professional leagues had sprung up around the world offering opportunities for those who didn’t break into the NBA.

“That means even if you don’t make it in the NBA, there’s the D-League, there’s China, Europe. There are so many doors now for kids.”

So far, Congolese pair, Bismack Biyombo and Emmanuel Mudiay have confirmed their participation in the August 5 showpiece, while American CJ McCollum is in the Team World squad. Full squads and ticket details will be announced in due course.

Independent Media

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