The National Basketball Association (NBA) is paying tribute to one of the most influential figures in both basketball and humanitarian work with the creation of the NBA Africa Dikembe Mutombo Humanitarian Award.

This new annual honour will recognise individuals or organisations that are making a profound impact in advancing health, education, or economic opportunities across Africa.

Announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, the award was revealed at the 10th annual NBA Africa All-Star Luncheon in San Francisco, during the build-up to NBA All-Star 2025.

Beginning in 2026, the award will be presented annually, and each recipient will be awarded a financial grant to support their charitable work, along with a donation from NBA Africa to a charity of their choice.

"Dikembe devoted his life to helping others and brought joy to so many people across Africa and around the world," said Silver.

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"This new award and the basketball courts built in his name will honour Dikembe’s extraordinary legacy as a global humanitarian."

Named after the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer, this honour is a recognition of Mutombo’s remarkable contributions on and off the court.

Beyond his stellar basketball career, which saw him become the second-leading shot blocker in NBA history, Mutombo has consistently shown a commitment to philanthropy.

His post-retirement role as the NBA’s first global ambassador allowed him to continue impacting communities worldwide.

To further cement his legacy, NBA Africa will also be donating 55 basketball courts across the continent, starting in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo—Mutombo’s birthplace.

These courts will be designed with Mutombo’s iconic style in mind, a fitting tribute to a man who once discovered his love for the game on the very streets of his hometown.

The initiative is part of NBA Africa’s larger goal of building 1,000 courts across the continent over the next decade.

Mutombo, who was drafted fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft, is revered not only for his basketball prowess but also for his outstanding contributions to society.

his career, he was honoured with numerous awards, including the Congressional Humanitarian Award (2013) and the U.S. President’s Service Award (2000).

His philanthropic efforts include the establishment of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa, named in memory of his late mother, which has been providing vital healthcare services to the community since 2007.

This new award, alongside the construction of basketball courts in his honour, ensures that Mutombo’s incredible impact—both as a player and a humanitarian—continues to inspire future generations, particularly in Africa.

With the NBA’s commitment to building lasting legacies, Mutombo’s extraordinary journey from the courts of Kinshasa to the global stage remains a beacon of hope and service to others.