Dikembe Mutombo’s niece is headed to UNC

Just a few days ago, former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo’s niece, Malu Tshitenge-Mutombo, committed to play for Carolina next season.

The 7-foot-2 Dikembe played under John Thompson Jr. at Georgetown from 1988-1991. He matched up against Dean Smith’s Tar Heels once during his career there, a 93-81 victory for the Hoyas in December of 1989.

Dikembe enjoyed a lengthy stay in the NBA, playing eighteen seasons with six different teams. He’s an 8-time NBA All-Star and 3-time NBA blocks leader, but is perhaps best known for his momentum-boosting rejections followed by taunting finger wags.

Malu currently plays for St. John’s College High School in Washington, D.C. She clearly benefitted from the Mutombo genetics, as she stands at 6-foot-3. Malu is considered the number 56 overall prospect for the class of 2019 and number 12 at the post position, according to espnW.

Malu chose the Tar Heels over Notre Dame. She gives Coach Hatchell her first post player of this class, and she figures to provide plenty of scoring and rebounding down low. Known for exceptional agility and footwork for her size, she’ll likely be utilized in more ways than one.

This is now the second 2019 commitment for the Heels, the other one being Alexis Duckett, a 5-foot-10 guard from Daytona Beach, Florida. With the early signing period still a couple months away, Hatchell hopes to reel in at least one or two more recruits before it’s all said and done.