D. J. Mbenga

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D. J. Mbenga bigraphy, stories - Belgian basketball player

D. J. Mbenga : biography

December 30, 1980 –

Didier Ilunga-Mbenga, commonly referred to as D. J. Mbenga (pronounced: Benga) (born December 30, 1980), is a Belgian professional basketball player. He has also played for the Belgian national basketball team.

Charity work

The Mbenga Foundation offers help to children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Congolese refugees in Belgium (as Didier had been).] in Los Angeles]

NBA career

Mbenga was signed by the Dallas Mavericks as an undrafted free agent on July 14, 2004 with a 2-year, $3.4 million contract. 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 for an approximated US$2 million a year. Archived from on 2007-08-13

In the 2006 playoffs he was suspended 6 games without pay for entering the stands. He saw coach Avery Johnson’s wife being disturbed by some fans, and reportedly went into the stands with owner Mark Cuban to help usher Mrs. Johnson to the locker room. Regardless of his intentions, the NBA’s Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Stu Jackson maintained a hard line against players entering the stands (a direct result of the infamous Pacers–Pistons brawl of 2004), suspending him for six games without pay., June 1, 2006 When asked about watching the Finals from home, Mbenga remarked, "Sometimes, I can’t watch. When I start watching, especially when Diop or Erick have foul trouble, I get mad. I might shoot the TV."Dallas Morning News Page 5C June 16, 2006

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, later 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., January 21, 2008 On February 11, 2008 the Lakers signed Mbenga for the rest of the 2007–08 season., February 11, 2008

On March 6, 2009 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mbenga scored a career high 10 points on 4–5 shooting with 4 rebounds and 5 blocks in just 17 minutes. On June 14, 2009, Mbenga won his first NBA Title with the Los Angeles Lakers.http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2009/03/lakers-110-minn.html Los Angeles Times. 2009. Retrieved on 2009-3-7

With starting forward Pau Gasol and center Andrew Bynum injured, Mbenga made his first start for the Los Angeles Lakers on November 6, 2009 against the Memphis Grizzlies Two days later, Mbenga recorded his first career double double with 10 points and 12 rebounds in addition to 4 blocks against the New Orleans Hornets. On April 9, 2010 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Mbenga set a new career high by scoring 11 points. On June 17, 2010, Mbenga won his second NBA title after his Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics in the Finals.

During his stay in Los Angeles, he became a crowd favorite and acquired the nickname "Congo Cash".

On October 13, 2010, he signed a one-year contract with the New Orleans Hornets.

European career

In Europe, Mbenga played in two professional teams: with Spirou Gilly of the Belgian Division II league in the 2001-2002 season and with Pallacanestro Varese of Lega Basket Serie A for two seasons from 2002 to 2004. At the ULEB Cup 2003–04, Mbenga averaged 4.1 points and 3.6 rebounds.

NBA career statistics

Regular season

|- | align="left" | | align="left" | Dallas | 15 || 1 || 3.9 || .429 || .000 || .750 || .5 || .0 || .0 || .3 || 1.0 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | Dallas | 43 || 1 || 5.5 || .533 || .000 || .500 || 1.3 || .0 || .1 || .6 || 1.7 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | Dallas | 21 || 0 || 3.8 || .313 || .000 || .875 || .5 || .3 || .1 || .2 || .8 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | Golden State | 16 || 0 || 8.1 || .391 || .000 || .500 || 1.9 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 1.2 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 26 || 0 || 7.5 || .492 || .000 || .400 || 1.6 || .2 || .2 || .6 || 2.5 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 23 || 0 || 7.9 || .474 || .000 || .875 || 1.3 || .4 || .4 || 1.0 || 2.7 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 49 || 2 || 7.2 || .466 || .000 || .474 || 1.8 || .2 || .1 || .6 || 1.8 |- | align="left" | | align="left" | New Orleans | 41 || 0 || 8.0 || .469 || .000 || .722 || 2.1 || .1 || .2 || .7 || 1.4 |- | align="left" | Career | align="left" | | 234 || 4 || 6.7 || .470 || .000 || .607 || 1.5 || .2 || .2 || .6 || 1.8

Playoffs

|- | align="left" | 2006 | align="left" | Dallas | 7 || 0 || 3.6 || .333 || .000 || 1.000 || 1.1 || .0 || .0 || .1 || .6 |- | align="left" | 2008 | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 7 || 0 || 4.3 || .625 || .000 || .000 || 1.3 || .0 || .3 || .1 || 1.4 |- | align="left" | 2009 | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 7 || 0 || 2.3 || .167 || .000 || .000 || .4 || .0 || .0 || .3 || .3 |- | align="left" | 2010 | align="left" | L.A. Lakers | 3 || 0 || 4.0 || .333 || .000 || 1.000 || 1.7 || .3 || .0 || .0 || 1.7 |- | align="left" | 2011 | align="left" | New Orleans | 5 || 0 || 5.2 || 1.000 || .000 || .500 || 1.0 || .2 || .4 || .6 || 1.0 |- | align="left" | Career | align="left" | | 29 || 0 || 3.7 || .440 || .000 || .800 || 1.0 || .1 || .1 || .2 || .9

Early life

Mbenga was born in and raised in Kinshasa in 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 everyone who worked for the previous leader. As unrest in the country escalated, Mbenga’s father was imprisoned. Although he was eventually unable to save himself, he did manage to negotiate on behalf of his sons, who were also imprisoned and waiting to be executed. Mbenga fled the country on a plane to Belgium, where he received asylum. While living in a refugee center, he was discovered by Belgian basketball legend Willy Steveniers, who eventually served as Mbenga’s personal basketball mentor. Mbenga is a dual citizen of both his native countries.

Asian career

Personal life

Mbenga speaks five languages: French, Portuguese, English, Lingala and Tshiluba.