Hawks to retire Dikembe Mutombo's jersey Nov. 24
The Atlanta Hawks are the latest organization to recognize NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo for his work on and off the hardwood.
Mutombo was honored Tuesday by Fulton County in a ceremony at the Government Center Atrium.
To the 49-year-old Congolese native's surprise, the Hawks announced they'll hoist his No. 55 jersey up in the rafters at Philips Arena.
"Steve, why didn't you tell me you were going to do this?" he playfully asked Hawks' CEO Steve Koonin.
"The most surprising, as you can see from the tears in my eyes, is the announcement that was made (that my jersey will be retired)," an emotional Mutombo said. "It's the most shocking to me. … I didn't know the Hawks were going to retire my jersey. I can't believe it. It’s going to be a great day."
CEO @SteveKoonin announced that we will retire @officialmutombo's #55 on Nov. 24 on Dikembe night vs. Boston! pic.twitter.com/wPy1mHhez1
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 1, 2015
The eight-time All-Star will become the fourth Hawks icon to have his jersey number retired by the franchise, joining Bob Pettit (No. 9), Dominique Wilkins (No. 21), and Lou Hudson (No. 23).
The Denver Nuggets announced Thursday that Mutombo will be honored in similar fashion during the upcoming season.
Over his five and a half seasons with the Hawks (1996-2001), the four-time Defensive Player of the Year logged averages of 11.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks - that's 1,094 finger wags in total.