BASKETBALL PLAYERS from Democratic Republic of the Congo

Top 6

The following people are considered by Pantheon to be the most legendary Congolese Basketball Players of all time. This list of famous Congolese Basketball Players is sorted by HPI (Historical Popularity Index), a metric that aggregates information on a biography’s online popularity.

1. Dikembe Mutombo (1966 - )

With an HPI of 46.97, Dikembe Mutombo is the most famous Congolese Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 39 different languages on wikipedia.

Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo (born June 25, 1966) is a Congolese-American former professional basketball player. Mutombo played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Nicknamed "Mount Mutombo" for his defensive prowess, he is commonly regarded as one of the best shot-blockers and defensive players of all time. He received the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award four times, tied with Ben Wallace for the most awards. Mutombo led the NBA in blocked shots three times, led the league in rebounds twice, and was named to eight All-Star teams. On January 10, 2007, Mutombo reached second place on the list of NBA career leaders in blocked shots. Outside of basketball, he is well known for his humanitarian work. A 7-foot-2-inch (2.18 m), 260-pound (120 kg) center, Mutombo moved to the United States from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at age 21 to play college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas. In 1991, the Denver Nuggets chose Mutombo with the fourth overall pick of the NBA draft. During his NBA career, he played for six teams. Mutombo played in the NBA Finals for the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001 and for the New Jersey Nets in 2003. At the conclusion of the 2009 NBA playoffs, Mutombo announced his retirement. His number 55 jersey has been retired by both the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks. Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 11, 2015.

2. D. J. Mbenga (1980 - )

With an HPI of 32.13, D. J. Mbenga is the 2nd most famous Congolese Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 21 different languages.

Didier "D. J." Ilunga-Mbenga (ben-ga; born December 30, 1980) is a Belgian-Congolese former professional basketball player. He has also played for the Belgian national basketball team as he is a dual citizen of both his native countries.

3. Bismack Biyombo (1992 - )

With an HPI of 29.65, Bismack Biyombo is the 3rd most famous Congolese Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 25 different languages.

Bismack Biyombo Sumba (born August 28, 1992) is a Congolese professional basketball player for the Oklahoma City Thunder of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft by the Sacramento Kings and subsequently traded to the Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets).

4. Christian Eyenga (1989 - )

With an HPI of 26.97, Christian Eyenga is the 4th most famous Congolese Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 17 different languages.

Christian Eyenga Moenge (born June 22, 1989) is a Congolese professional basketball player for Lille Métropole of the LNB Pro B. Eyenga was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers with the 30th pick in that year's 2009 NBA draft. When drafted, he played for the Spanish Third Division club Prat, an affiliate of the ACB club DKV Joventut.

5. Charles Kahudi (1986 - )

With an HPI of 25.06, Charles Kahudi is the 5th most famous Congolese Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 15 different languages.

Charles Lumbahe Kahudi (born 19 July 1986) is a Congolese-French professional basketball player for LDLC ASVEL of the French LNB Pro A and the EuroLeague.

6. Emmanuel Mudiay (1996 - )

With an HPI of 24.03, Emmanuel Mudiay is the 6th most famous Congolese Basketball Player.  His biography has been translated into 19 different languages.

Emmanuel Kabeya Mudiay (born March 5, 1996) is a Congolese-American professional basketball player for the Piratas de Quebradillas of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN). He played high school basketball for Grace Preparatory Academy and Prime Prep Academy in Texas, where he gained much of the media's attention. He committed to play for the SMU Mustangs men's basketball team on August 24, 2013, but later made the decision to forgo college and joined the Guangdong Southern Tigers in China. After an injury-riddled season in China, he was selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets.