The NBA lost a true legend when Dikembe Mutombo passed away in September 2024 after battling brain cancer. His death deeply affected the basketball world. A public memorial will honor him at Georgia Tech’s McCamish Pavilion on May 31. This event will bring renewed attention to the late NBA star’s incredible legacy.
However, during his passing, Ryan Mutombo, who plays for Georgia Tech, shared a heartfelt tribute on social media. At that moment, many in the basketball community, unfamiliar with Mutombo’s family, apart from his wife, Rose Mutombo, were initially confused.
But when the Georgia Tech standout called Dikembe his hero and praised his kindness and impact, everyone recognized that the young star is already following in his father’s footsteps on the court.
21-Year-Old Ryan Mutombo Follows the Path of His Bloodline, Father Dikembe Mutombo
Born on June 28, 2003, in Atlanta, Georgia, Ryan Mutombo grew up in a basketball-driven family. His father, Dikembe Mutombo, was one of the most feared shot-blockers in NBA history, and his uncle, Ilo Mutombo, was also an outstanding basketball player.
You could say that basketball runs in their blood, and with his massive 7’2″ frame, it’s no surprise that Ryan chose to pursue the sport professionally. Given his physical attributes and basketball lineage, he was on the right path, building his resume as Georgia Tech’s center in preparation for a future NBA Draft opportunity.
Ryan Mutombo graduating from Georgetown a whole year early. Congrats to him. Incredible achievement! (via ryanmutombo/IG) pic.twitter.com/3e4PVrz9Ox
— Hilltop Hoops (@HilltopHoops_) May 5, 2024
Despite his size and family legacy, the 21-year-old hasn’t made a major impact yet on the college basketball scene. He’s a senior now and eligible for the NBA Draft. However, his draft stock is still unclear. So far, fans and scouts haven’t seen the kind of standout performance expected from the son of a legend. Many believe he might go undrafted, try his luck in the summer league, or even play overseas.
But Ryan’s college career had so many bright spots. In high school at The Lovett School, he scored over 1,500 points and averaged 24 points, 12 rebounds, and nearly five blocks per game in his junior year.
One standout moment came on December 8, 2021, when he had 15 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks against UMBC. These performances earned him a four-star rating in the 2021 class, ranking him No. 112 nationally and No. 17 among centers.
That massive success led Ryan Mutombo to commit to Georgetown University, following in the footsteps of his late father, Dikembe Mutombo, who played for the program from 1988 to 1991. The Late Dikembe became one of the best defensive players in the school’s history, earning Big East Defensive Player of the Year twice. However, Ryan still has a long way to go before reaching that level of dominance.
Given his draft stock uncertainty, some analysts believe he may go undrafted and pursue opportunities through summer league or overseas play. His father’s legacy is always behind him, but whether he can successfully carve out his path in basketball remains to be seen, as his current situation seems challenging.
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After completing his bachelor’s degree, he enrolled in Georgia Tech’s Master’s program in management, which ended this month. This suggests that he may not have enough time to prove himself worthy of a spot in the pro league.
Let’s see what fate has in store for him. But the truth is that, given his position in the 2021 recruit class, by this time, he should have already secured a place in the NBA.
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