Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Hawks will retire Mutombo’s jersey

Dikembe Mutombo spent four and half of his 18-year career with the Hawks from 1996-2001.
Dikembe Mutombo spent four and half of his 18-year career with the Hawks from 1996-2001.
By Chris Vivlamore
Nov 23, 2015

The Hawks will retire Dikembe Mutombo’s No. 55 Tuesday at Philips Arena.

The ceremony will take place during a halftime ceremony of the Hawks game against the Celtics. The ceremony will feature remarks from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler, Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed and Mutomob’s former Hawks teammate Steve Smith.

Hawks players will wear a No. 55 patch on their uniforms for the game.

» What a year it's been for Mutombo. Read more on myAJC

Each fan in attendance will receive a finger-wagging foam hand to commemorate Mutombo’s signature ‘No, no, no’ move following his many blocked shots.

Mutombo will become just the fourth player in franchise history to be honored with a retired number and the first since Wilkins in 2001.

About the Author

Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.

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