WASHINGTON - Upon his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame over the weekend, former Georgetown University men's basketball All-American Dikembe Mutombo (SLL'91) said that it was an honor that he never expected when he was a rookie in the National Basketball Association (NBA) n 1991.

More than 20 years later, however, Mutombo was presented for induction to the Hall of Fame by his former coach, legendary Hall of Famer John Thompson Jr. Mutombo became the third Hoya center who played for Thompson to enter the Hall of Fame, joining Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning.

"I learned a lot under Coach Thompson," Mutombo said. "I learned about the game of basketball, but most importantly, I learned how to be a man in this society.

"He's really a father figure to all of us who got the chance to play for him at Georgetown University."

Mutombo was a member of the 2015 Hall of Fame Class, joined by 39-year NBA referee Dick Bavetta, three-time College Coach of the Year John Calipari, four-time NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood, seven-time NBA All-Star Jo Jo White and three-time WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie. They join the five directly elected members who were announced during NBA All-Star Weekend in February, including Louis Dampier, voted in from the American Basketball Association (ABA) Committee; John Isaacs from the Early African American Pioneers Committee; Lindsay Gaze from the International Committee, Tom Heinsohn from the Veterans Committee and George Raveling from the Contributor Direct Election Committee.

Mutombo took time to thank all of the coaches he played for throughout his NBA career, as well as several players, including two former Hoyas.

"Patrick Ewing, you are such a great brother, friend and a great leader to me," Mutombo said. "You took Alonzo Mourning and I under your wing and mentored us from daily workouts to life lessons. I thank you so much and love you for being my brother.

"Alonzo Mourning, you helped me become a better basketball player. I wish that many young people today competed and practiced like we did. Thank you so much my brother."

A two-time All-BIG EAST selection at Georgetown, Mutombo averaged 15.2 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.7 blocks as a senior in 1991, when he was named First Team All-BIG EAST and earned Third Team All-American honors. Mutombo was selected to Georgetown's "All Century Team" and still ranks among the all-time leaders in blocked shots (3rd, 354) and rebounds (12th, 8.6 per game).

Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA and was an eight-time NBA All-Star (1992, 1995-98 and 2000-02) and a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001). He led the NBA in blocked shots for five-straight seasons (1994-98) and blocks per game for a record three consecutive seasons (1994-96). He finished his NBA career with 11,729 points, 12,359 rebounds and 3,289 blocks.

Mutombo thanked his oldest brother, Ilo Mutombo, for taking him to a basketball court at the age of 17 and introducing him to the game, and also spoke proudly of being only the third African to play in the NBA.

"The son of Congo, to come to the U.S. with nothing," Mutombo said, "and now to be part of NBA history, it means a lot to me."

Off the court, Mutombo has long made it a priority to the quality of life for the people of his native Congo. In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for people in the republic. The foundation provides comprehensive health care at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, and promotes health care, disease prevention, health policy, health research and increased access to health care education. He received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2001 and 2009.

"Playing basketball allowed me to become a global citizen," he said. "It is because of the game that I was able to build a hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has now served more than 140,000 people.

"My life mission is continue to change the living condition of the people in Africa. I may have not won the championship, but I am a champion to so many people home."