D. J. Mbenga
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| Free agent | |
|---|---|
| Position | Center |
| Personal information | |
| Born |
December 30, 1980 Kinshasa, Zaire |
| Nationality | Belgian / Congolese |
| Listed height | 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) |
| Listed weight | 255 lb (116 kg) |
| Career information | |
| NBA draft | 2002 / Undrafted |
| Playing career | 2001–present |
| 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 | |
|
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Didier "D. J." Ilunga-Mbenga (pronounced Benga; born December 30, 1980) is a Belgian-Congolese professional basketball player. He has also played for the Belgian national basketball team as he is a dual citizen of both his native countries.
Mbenga was born and raised in Kinshasa, Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where his father was a government employee. When a new regime took over power, it sought out everyone who worked for the previous leader. As unrest in the country escalated, Mbenga and his family were imprisoned. 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 legend Willy Steveniers, who eventually served as Mbenga's personal basketball mentor.
In 2001, Mbenga joined Spirou Gilly of the Belgian Division II league where he made his professional debut in 2001–02. In 2002, he joined the Leuven Bears of the Belgian Basketball League for the 2002–03 season where in 21 games he averaged 8.1 points per game. Then in 2003, he joined Spirou Charleroi also of the Belgian Basketball League for the 2003–04 season where he played both league games and ULEB Cup games.
On July 14, 2004, Mbenga signed a two-year, $3.4 million contract with the Dallas Mavericks and joined them for the 2004 NBA Summer League. In an injury-riddled first season with the Mavericks in 2004–05, he managed 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 in 2005–06. During the 2006 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. He went on to manage seven playoff games in the Mavericks' playoff run that ended in Game 6 of the NBA Finals where they lost to the Miami Heat.
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