Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. on the death of NBA star Dikembe Mutombo

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. learned of the death of former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo just moments before meeting the media Monday afternoon. When first asked about the Hall of Famer, Jackson gave a short answer before going back and talking for more than two minutes about the NBA legend's influence on his life.

Jackson knew Mutombo – who died of brain cancer at the age of 58 – since childhood. His father, Jaren Jackson Sr., was Mutombo's roommate at Georgetown.

“I knew him my whole life,” said an emotional Jaren Jackson Jr. “It’s not a good feeling. I have to call my dad.”

“He had a huge influence on my life. This is really someone who was in my corner before I was really good at basketball. He always told me how much more gifted I was offensively, even when I was younger. “I’m not as gifted offensively as I am now.”

Mutombo maintained a relationship with the younger Jackson, who said the four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year would always check on him, curse him out or even talk trash.

The obvious connection between Jackson and Mutombo in basketball is their ability to knock down shots. Jackson, who was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, has led the NBA in blocks twice – something Mutombo has done three times in his 18-year career.

But their relationship went beyond defense and basketball.

“It’s very personal,” he said. “…He changed everyone's life, who he was.”

Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at [email protected]. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.

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