 Mbenga with theLos Angeles Lakers in 2010 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1980-12-30)December 30, 1980 (age 44) Kinshasa, Zaire(now DR Congo) |
| Nationality | Belgian / Congolese |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2002:undrafted |
| Playing career | 2001–2013 |
| Position | Center |
| Number | 28 |
| Career history | |
| 2001–2002 | Spirou Gilly |
| 2002–2003 | Leuven Bears |
| 2003–2004 | Spirou Charleroi |
| 2004–2007 | Dallas Mavericks |
| 2007–2008 | Golden State Warriors |
| 2008–2010 | Los Angeles Lakers |
| 2010–2011 | New Orleans Hornets |
| 2012 | Qingdao DoubleStar |
| 2013 | Barako Bull Energy |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Didier "D. J."Ilunga-Mbenga (ben-ga; born December 30, 1980) is a Belgian-Congolese former professionalbasketball player. He has also played for theBelgian national basketball team[1] as he is adual citizen of both his native countries.[2]
Mbenga was born and raised inKinshasa,Zaire, now known as theDemocratic Republic of the Congo, where his father was a government employee.[3] When anew regime took over power, it sought out everyone who worked for theprevious leader. As unrest in the country escalated, Mbenga and his family were imprisoned.[1] While his father was eventually unable to save himself, he did manage to negotiate on behalf of his wife and son, as Mbenga and his mother escaped the nation and were given asylum in Belgium. While living in a refugee center, he was discovered by Belgian basketball legendWilly Steveniers, who eventually served as Mbenga's personal basketball mentor.[1][4]
In 2001, Mbenga joined Spirou Gilly of the Belgian Division II league where he made his professional debut in 2001–02.
In 2002, Mbenga joined theLeuven Bears of theBelgian Basketball League for the 2002–03 season where in 21 games he averaged 8.1 points per game.
In 2003, Mbenga joinedSpirou Charleroi also of the Belgian Basketball League for the 2003–04 season where he played both league games andULEB Cup games.
On July 14, 2004, Mbenga signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with theDallas Mavericks and joined them for the 2004NBA Summer League.[5] During an injury-riddled first season with the Mavericks in2004–05, he managed to play just 15 games while averaging just one point per game.
In July 2005, Mbenga re-joined the Dallas Mavericks for the 2005 NBA Summer League, and went on to play in 43 regular season games for the franchise in2005–06. During the2006 Western Conference Finals against the Phoenix Suns, Mbenga was suspended for six games for going into the stands, after he saw the wife of coach Avery Johnson being harassed by fans.[6] He went on to manage seven playoff games in the Mavericks' playoff run that ended in Game 6 of theNBA Finals where they lost to the Miami Heat.
On June 30, 2006, the Mavericks extended a qualifying offer to Mbenga in order to make him a restricted free agent. After again playing for the Mavericks in the 2006 NBA Summer League, Mbenga re-signed with the franchise to a three-year, non-guaranteed contract on July 13, 2006. However, he managed just 21 games in 2006–07 after suffering a torn right ACL on February 7, 2007.[7] He returned to the court on October 23, 2007, in the Mavericks' preseason finale against the Chicago Bulls where he recorded 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 assist in 12 minutes of action. A week later, he was waived by the Mavericks.[8]
On November 17, 2007, Mbenga signed with theGolden State Warriors.[9] On January 6, 2008, he was waived by the Warriors.[10]
On January 21, 2008, Mbenga signed a 10-day contract with theLos Angeles Lakers.[11] On February 1, 2008, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Lakers. On February 11, 2008, he signed with the Lakers for the rest of the 2007–08 season.[12] On September 24, 2008, he re-signed with the Lakers.[13]
On March 6, 2009, Mbenga recorded a then career high 10 points on 4–5 shooting, along with 4 rebounds and 5 blocks, in a 110–90 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[14] The Lakers went on to win the 2009 NBA championship after they defeated the Orlando Magic 4 games to 1 in the2009 NBA Finals.
With starting forwardPau Gasol and centerAndrew Bynum injured, Mbenga made his first start for the Lakers on November 6, 2009, in a 114–98 win over theMemphis Grizzlies.[15] Two days later, Mbenga recorded his first career double-double with 10 points and 12 rebounds, in addition to 4 blocks, in a 104–88 win over the New Orleans Hornets. On April 9, 2010, he recorded a career high 11 points in a 97–88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[16] Mbenga went on to win his second NBA championship after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 4 games to 3 in the2010 NBA Finals.
On October 13, 2010, Mbenga signed a one-year deal with theNew Orleans Hornets.[17]
Mbenga's final NBA game ever was played in Game 6 of the 2011 Western Conference First Round against his former team theLos Angeles Lakers on April 28, 2011. The Hornets loss the game 80 - 98 (and lost the series 4 - 2) with Mbenga recording 2 rebounds, 1 assist and 1 steal.
In July 2012, Mbenga joined theMilwaukee Bucks for the 2012 NBA Summer League. On September 27, 2012, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks.[18] However, he was later waived by the Mavericks on October 2, 2012.[19]
In November 2012, Mbenga signed withQingdao Eagles of theChinese Basketball Association.[20] On December 12, 2012, he played his final game for Qingdao before being replaced in the line-up by Chris Daniels.[21]
On April 3, 2013, Mbenga signed with theBarako Bull Energy of thePhilippine Basketball Association.[22][23]
On October 8, 2014, Mbenga signed with theNew York Knicks.[24] However, he was later waived by the Knicks on October 24, 2014.[25]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
| † | Won anNBA championship |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Dallas | 15 | 1 | 3.9 | .429 | .000 | .750 | .5 | .0 | .0 | .3 | 1.0 |
| 2005–06 | Dallas | 43 | 1 | 5.5 | .533 | .000 | .500 | 1.3 | .0 | .1 | .6 | 1.7 |
| 2006–07 | Dallas | 21 | 0 | 3.8 | .313 | .000 | .875 | .5 | .3 | .1 | .2 | .8 |
| 2007–08 | Golden State | 16 | 0 | 8.1 | .391 | .000 | .500 | 1.9 | .3 | .2 | .6 | 1.2 |
| 2007–08 | L.A. Lakers | 26 | 0 | 7.5 | .492 | .000 | .400 | 1.6 | .2 | .2 | .6 | 2.5 |
| 2008–09† | L.A. Lakers | 23 | 0 | 7.9 | .474 | .000 | .875 | 1.3 | .4 | .4 | 1.0 | 2.7 |
| 2009–10† | L.A. Lakers | 49 | 2 | 7.2 | .466 | .000 | .474 | 1.8 | .2 | .1 | .6 | 1.8 |
| 2010–11 | New Orleans | 41 | 0 | 8.0 | .469 | .000 | .722 | 2.1 | .1 | .1 | .7 | 1.4 |
| Career | 234 | 4 | 6.7 | .470 | .000 | .607 | 1.5 | .2 | .2 | .6 | 1.8 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Dallas | 7 | 0 | 3.6 | .333 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.1 | .0 | .0 | .1 | .6 |
| 2008 | L.A. Lakers | 7 | 0 | 4.3 | .625 | .000 | .000 | 1.3 | .0 | .3 | .1 | 1.4 |
| 2009† | L.A. Lakers | 7 | 0 | 2.3 | .167 | .000 | .000 | .4 | .0 | .0 | .3 | .3 |
| 2010† | L.A. Lakers | 3 | 0 | 4.0 | .333 | .000 | 1.000 | 1.7 | .3 | .0 | .0 | 1.7 |
| 2011 | New Orleans | 5 | 0 | 5.2 | 1.000 | .000 | .500 | 1.0 | .2 | .4 | .6 | 1.0 |
| Career | 29 | 0 | 3.7 | .440 | .000 | .800 | 1.0 | .1 | .1 | .2 | .9 | |
Mbenga speaks five languages: French, Portuguese, English,Lingala andTshiluba.[2]
In 2005, Mbenga started theMbenga Foundation with the goal to help children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and refugees in Belgium.[26]
