The banners celebrating the careers of Bob Pettit, Lou Hudson and Dominique Wilkins are about to get some company.
The Hawks will retire Dikembe Mutombo’s No. 55 on Tuesday at Philips Arena. It will be the culmination of a year during which the center was elected to and inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Mutombo will become just the fourth player in franchise history to be honored with a retired number and the first since Wilkins in 2001.
“I’m so happy that the Hawks are honoring me with such a wonderful event, which is a historical event because when your jersey goes up, nobody can take it down,” Mutombo said in a recent media conference call.
The ceremony will take place during halftime of the Hawks nationally televised game (TNT) against the Celtics. The ceremony will feature remarks from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and Mutombo’s former Hawks teammate Steve Smith. Hawks players will wear a No. 55 patch on their uniforms for the game.
“He is a role model for me and somebody who has given me some great advice over the years,” current Hawks center Al Horford said. “The first time I got to spend time with him is we did Basketball Without Borders in Africa together. Him and his wife, I was able to spend a lot of time with them. They are great people. They do a lot of great work in the community. … He’s been a big mentor for me.”
Every fan in attendance will receive a finger-wagging foam hand to commemorate Mutombo’s signature ‘No, no, no’ gesture following his many blocked shots. Fans will also receive a special program. Mutombo-themed merchandise will be available for purchase with the proceeds benefiting the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation.
Mutombo spent 4 1/2 of his 18-year career with the Hawks (1996-2001). The 7-foot-2 center is second on the NBA’s all-time career blocks list with 3,289 and 19th on the rebound list with 12,359. He was an eight-time All-Star, a four-time defensive player of the year and a six-time All-Defensive team selection. Three of his defensive player of the year awards were won while he was with the Hawks, including his final year when he was traded to the 76ers midseason.
Mutombo was enshrined at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 11. Prior to his induction, he was also honored with a Dikembe Mutombo Day by Fulton County.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer was on the other end of many Mutombo career moments in his early years as a Spurs assistant.
“I was always on the other side so it seemed not fun, him blocking shots and him having such an impact on the game defensively,” Budenholzer said.
Mutombo has made his home in Atlanta since signing with the Hawks as a free agent from the Nuggets in 1996. He recently recalled his favorite memories of wearing a Hawks uniform.
“Going to the playoffs every year,” he said. “That was one of the most exciting things. Playing for one of my favorite coaches and a great leader and someone I admire so much — Lenny Wilkens — a man who was a father figure to me. He inspired me a lot. He taught me so much about the game. He taught me to love the game and to go out there and be the best basketball player I can be every given night.”
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