Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Mutombo elected to Basketball Hall of Fame

Former President Bill Clinton, right, sits with former NBA basketball player Dikembe Mutombo during the first half of the NBA All-Star game, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

Credit: Kathy Willens

Credit: Kathy Willens

Former President Bill Clinton, right, sits with former NBA basketball player Dikembe Mutombo during the first half of the NBA All-Star game, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2015, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
By Chris Vivlamore
April 6, 2015

Dikembe Mutombo is in.

The former NBA center, who spent four-plus seasons with the Hawks, was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Monday. The announcement came in Indianapolis at a press conference hours before the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament championship game.

The eight-time All-Star Mutombo was named one of 12 finalists for the Class of 2015 in February. He will be joined by Lisa Leslie, Dick Bavetta, John Calipari, Spencer Haywood and JoJo White.

Mutombo had to receive a minimum of 18 of 24 votes to be elected by the Honors Committee. The finalists who did not get elected were Bill Fitch, Tim Hardaway, Kevin Johnson, Bo Ryan, Robert Hughes and Leta Andrews.

The Class of 2015 will be enshrined at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on Friday, Sept. 11.

Mutombo played for the Hawks from 1996-2001. He was four-time All-Star with Atlanta and won three of his four Defensive Player of the Year awards with the team.

MORE TO COME

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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