Didier Ilunga-Mbenga, better known to basketball fans as, D.J. Mbenga, was born in Kinshasa, Africa, on December 30, 1980. He was raised in Zaire, which today is known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. A victim of the political climate in Zaire at the time, Mbenga fled the country for Belgium by the time he turned 17. Later on, he would become one of its citizens.
Shortly after his arrival in Belgium, he received political asylum. Times were hard and very confusing. “Even though I had been in Belgium before, it felt very strange to be there on my own”. Eventually, Didier was reunited with one of his brothers, Jean-Claude, who had also fled the country earlier. “I will never forget this lady who worked at the center. She searched tirelessly and ultimately found my brother. A weight was lifted when I found him”. As time went on, he was noticed for his height and eventually discovered by Belgian basketball legend Willy Steveniers, who served as Mbenga's personal basketball mentor. He had never given any thought to becoming a basketball player. Didier began training relentlessly for one straight year every single day, living and breathing basketball. “When I was not playing, I was watching games, learning plays, etc…” His skills were becoming more apparent. Here was a big man that could really be an asset to any team… Mbenga was receiving quite a bit of attention from Agents, and General Managers worldwide. Eventually he signed with the Belgium National Basketball Team. In 2003, he played in the summer league against China, which helped his transition to the NBA.
White House photos courtesy of Official White House Photographer, Pete Souza.
NBA career
Mbenga was signed by the Dallas Mavericks during the 2004–05 season. He continued through the 2005–06 season with the Mavericks, but when the season ended, Mbenga became an unrestricted free agent. Mbenga extended his contract with the Dallas Mavericks for three seasons.
Mbenga was later waived by the Mavericks in order for them to sign Juwan Howard. On November 17, 2007, Mbenga was signed to play with the Golden State Warriors under the direction of his old coach in Dallas, Don Nelson. On February 7, 2007 against Memphis, Mbenga hurt his knee late in the fourth quarter and limped off the court. It was originally thought that he had only strained his knee and would be back after a week or so, however, further scans found Mbenga had torn an anterior cruciate ligament, which required surgical reconstruction. As a result of the injury, Mbenga missed the rest of the season.
On January 6, 2008, he was waived by Golden State. Later that month, on January 21, 2008, he was signed to a 10-day contract by the Los Angeles Lakers. On February 11, 2008 the Lakers signed Mbenga for the rest of the 2007–08 season.
On the night of March 6, 2009 playing against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mbenga scored a career high 10 points with an efficient 4 for 5 shooting, while also grabbing 4 rebounds and blocking 5 shots in just 17 minutes of playing time, which would lead to him becoming a crowd favorite and getting the nick name: “Congo Cash” . On the evening of June 14, 2009, D.J. won his first NBA Title with the Los Angeles Lakers.
With starting forward Pau Gasol and center Andrew Bynum injured, Mbenga made his first start for the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6th, 2009 against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Mbenga recorded his first career double double on November 8th, 2009, scoring 10 points and 12 rebounds with 4 blocks against the New Orleans Hornets.
On a Personal Note
Didier’s other passion is education, which he believes is the answer to a lot of conflicts. The Mbenga Foundation focuses on education in his natal Country of Congo.
“I want to use my celebrity to assist in any way possible to better the life of children.” - Didier Mbenga
The Foundation was created in the United States in 2009.
Mbenga speaks five languages: French, Portuguese, English, Lingala and Tshiluba. He is also the proprietor of Creperie du Chateau, in Dallas, a restaurant which he co-owns with his agent’s wife Fatoumata Ndiaye. And as its name indicates, primarily serves crepes.
