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The Atlanta Hawks have a storied legacy, having nurtured numerous NBA legends over their 76 years in the league. Among their notable achievements is the recognition of Dikembe Mutombo as the only player to have earned the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award while representing the Hawks, a feat he accomplished in consecutive seasons.
Dikembe Mutombo, hailing from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, enjoyed an illustrious 18-year NBA career that culminated in his induction into the Hall of Fame in 2015. The Denver Nuggets selected ‘Deke’ as the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, where he spent the initial five years of his professional journey before joining the Atlanta Hawks from 1995 to 2000.
Following his initial Defensive Player of the Year win with the Nuggets during the 1994-95 season, Mutombo brought his formidable defensive skills to Atlanta. In his more than four seasons with the Hawks, he averaged 11.9 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks across 343 games, achieving no less than 2.8 blocks per game each season. He was named an All-Star on eight occasions, led the league in defensive rebounds (9.4) and overall rebounds (13.5 rpg) during the 1999-00 season, claimed the blocks title three times, made six All-Defensive teams (three first-team selections and three second-team), and garnered four Defensive Player of the Year awards, including back-to-back titles in 1997 and 1998.
During the 1996-97 season, known as ‘Mount Mutombo,’ he recorded averages of 13.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 3.3 blocks while starting in 80 games. He achieved 43 double-doubles, blocked five or more shots in 20 games, and grabbed over 20 rebounds in four instances. The towering 7-foot-2, 245-pound center ranked 13th in MVP voting and secured his second Hakeem Olajuwon Trophy for his performance.
In 1998, at age 31, Mutombo elevated his game further, delivering averages of 13.4 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.0 assists, and 3.4 blocks in all 82 games for Atlanta. He recorded 47 double-doubles and had five or more blocks in 23 contests. For his remarkable play, Deke received his second consecutive and third overall Defensive Player of the Year award. This was also notable as he completed all 82 games for the fifth and final time in his legendary career, making it one of nine consecutive seasons where he finished in the top three for Defensive Player of the Year voting from 1993 to 2002.
