Center Dikembe Mutombo of the Atlanta Hawks is the one man in the National Basketball Association (NBA) that shooters least like to see. During his professional career the intimidating defender has led the league in blocked shots four times and was recognized as the 1994-95 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. A three-time NBA all-star as a Denver Nugget, Mutombo has taken his ability to disrupt the opposing team's offense to Atlanta. He is used to moving, as his basketball career has taken him around the world.

Growing up

Full house

Dikembe Mutombo was born June 25, 1966. He was one of seven children--five boys and two girls--of Mukamba and Biamba Mutombo. Mutombo and his family shared a six-bedroom home with up to a dozen cousins. "We believe in big, [extended] families in Africa," Mutombo explained in the Sporting News. "And we don't stay away from one another for very...