D. J. Mbenga

{{short description|Belgian-Congolese basketball player (born 1980)}}

{{Infobox basketball biography

| name = D. J. Mbenga

| image = DJ Mbenga Lakers Fan Jam.jpg

| caption = Mbenga with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2010

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1980|12|30}}

| birth_place = Kinshasa, Zaire (now DR Congo)

| nationality = Belgian / Congolese

| height_ft = 7

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 245

| draft_year = 2002

| career_start = 2001

| career_end = 2013

| career_number = 28

| career_position = Center

| years1 = 2001–2002

| team1 = Spirou Gilly

| years2 = 2002–2003

| team2 = Leuven Bears

| years3 = 2003–2004

| team3 = Spirou Charleroi

| years4 = {{nbay|2004|start}}–{{nbay|2006|end}}

| team4 = Dallas Mavericks

| years5 = {{nbay|2007|full=y}}

| team5 = Golden State Warriors

| years6 = {{nbay|2007|end}}–{{nbay|2009|end}}

| team6 = Los Angeles Lakers

| years7 = {{nbay|2010|full=y}}

| team7 = New Orleans Hornets

| years8 = 2012

| team8 = Qingdao DoubleStar

| years9 = 2013

| team9 = Barako Bull Energy

| highlights =

2× NBA champion (2009, 2010)
Belgian League champion (2004)

}}

Didier "D. J." Ilunga-Mbenga ({{respelling|ben|ga}}; born December 30, 1980) is a Belgian-Congolese former professional basketball player. He has also played for the Belgian national basketball team{{cite news |last=Pouncy |first=Chad |title=NBA Teams Prepare For The D.J. Mbenga Free Agency Sweepstakes In 2010 |url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/302605-nba-teams-prepare-for-the-dj-mbenga-free-agency-sweepstakes-in-2010 |work=BleacherReport.com |date=December 4, 2009 |access-date=October 9, 2014}} as he is a dual citizen of both his native countries.{{cite web|title=Didier Ilunga-Mbenga Bio Page|url=http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dj_mbenga/bio.html|work=NBA.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101118214036/http://www.nba.com/playerfile/dj_mbenga/bio.html|archive-date=November 18, 2010|url-status=dead}}

Early life

Mbenga was born and raised in Kinshasa, Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where his father was a government employee.{{cite web|last=Bhattacharya|first=Preetom|title=Hoopsworld: Mbenga provides some perspective|url=http://forums.lakersground.net/togo/thread.php?topic_id=55485|work=LakersGround.net|access-date=October 9, 2014}} 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.{{cite news |title=Poulain van Willy Steveniers tekent contract bij Dallas Mavericks |url=http://www.nieuwsblad.be/sportwereld/cnt/g9p783sk |work=nieuwsblad.be |language=nl |date=July 9, 2004 |access-date=October 9, 2014}}

Professional career

=Spirou Gilly (2001–2002)=

In 2001, Mbenga joined Spirou Gilly of the Belgian Division II league where he made his professional debut in 2001–02.

= Leuven Bears (2002–2003) =

In 2002, Mbenga 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.

= Spirou Charleroi (2003–2004) =

In 2003, Mbenga joined Spirou Charleroi also of the Belgian Basketball League for the 2003–04 season where he played both league games and ULEB Cup games.

=Dallas Mavericks (2004–2007)=

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.{{cite web|url=http://espndb.go.com/nba/finals/print?contentId=4215977 |title=LAL – D.J. Mbenga |work=ESPN.com |date=May 29, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223220159/http://espndb.go.com/nba/finals/print?contentId=4215977 |archive-date=February 23, 2014 }} During an injury-riddled first season with the Mavericks in 2004–05, 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 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/news/mbenga_060601.html |title=Dallas' D.J. Mbenga Suspended Six Games |work=NBA.com |date=June 1, 2006 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} 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.

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=2758873 |title=Knee injury to sideline Mavs' Mbenga for season |work=ESPN.com |date=February 8, 2007 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/mbenga-waived-103007.shtml |title=Dallas Mavericks waive DJ Mbenga |work=InsideHoops.com |date=October 30, 2007 |access-date=May 1, 2013}}

= Golden State Warriors (2007–2008) =

On November 17, 2007, Mbenga signed with the Golden State Warriors.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/warriors/news/Mbenga_Lasme_Release.html |title=Warriors Sign DJ Mbenga, Waive Stephane Lasme |work=NBA.com |date=November 17, 2007 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} On January 6, 2008, he was waived by the Warriors.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/nba_news/warriors_moves.html |title=Warriors Waive Mbenga in Favor of Center Perovic from D-League |work=NBA.com |date=January 6, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021231301/http://www.nba.com/nba_news/warriors_moves.html |archive-date=October 21, 2014 |url-status=dead }}

= Los Angeles Lakers (2008–2010) =

File:D. J. Mbenga Lakers 2008.jpg in 2008]]

On January 21, 2008, Mbenga signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080121_lakerssignmbenga.html |title=LAKERS SIGN DJ MBENGA |work=NBA.com |date=January 21, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=3241533 |title=After two 10-day contracts, Lakers sign Mbenga for rest of year |work=ESPN.com |date=February 11, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} On September 24, 2008, he re-signed with the Lakers.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/080924lakerssigndjmbenga.html |title=LAKERS RE-SIGN DJ MBENGA |work=NBA.com |date=September 24, 2008 |access-date=May 1, 2013}}

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.{{cite web |url=http://lakersblog.latimes.com/lakersblog/2009/03/lakers-110-minn.html |title=Lakers 110, Minnesota 90: Hugs for all the people! |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 7, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} The Lakers went on to win the 2009 NBA championship after they defeated the Orlando Magic 4 games to 1 in the 2009 NBA Finals.

With starting forward Pau Gasol and center Andrew Bynum injured, Mbenga made his first start for the Lakers on November 6, 2009, in a 114–98 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web |url=http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291106013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111055303/http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291106013 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 11, 2009 |title=Kobe scores 24,000th point as short-handed Lakers get by Grizzlies |work=ESPN.com |date=November 6, 2009 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mbengdj01/gamelog/2010/ |title=Didier Ilunga-Mbenga 2009-10 Game Log |work=Basketball-Reference.com |access-date=May 1, 2013}} Mbenga went on to win his second NBA championship after the Lakers defeated the Boston Celtics 4 games to 3 in the 2010 NBA Finals.

= New Orleans Hornets (2010–2011) =

On October 13, 2010, Mbenga signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/news/story?id=5681426 |title=D.J. Mbenga bolsters Hornets' frontcourt |work=ESPN.com |date=October 13, 2010 |access-date=May 1, 2013}}

Mbenga's final NBA game ever was played in Game 6 of the 2011 Western Conference First Round against his former team the Los 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.

= Qingdao Eagles (2012) =

In July 2012, Mbenga joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2012 NBA Summer League. On September 27, 2012, he signed with the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/mavericks/post/_/id/4691796/mavericks-add-three-to-training-camp-roster |title=Mavericks add three to training camp roster |work=ESPN.com |date=September 27, 2012 |access-date=May 1, 2013}} However, he was later waived by the Mavericks on October 2, 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.insidehoops.com/blog/?p=11045 |title=Dallas Mavericks waive Tu Holloway and DJ Mbenga |work=InsideHoops.com |date=October 2, 2012 |access-date=May 1, 2013}}

In November 2012, Mbenga signed with Qingdao Eagles of the Chinese Basketball Association.{{cite web|url=http://web.qdsxlq.com/2012/1113/235.shtml |script-title=zh:双星正式搞定姆本加生锡顺：今年绝对值得期待 |work=qdsxlq.com |language=zh |date=November 13, 2012 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016224207/http://web.qdsxlq.com/2012/1113/235.shtml |archive-date=October 16, 2014 }} On December 12, 2012, he played his final game for Qingdao before being replaced in the line-up by Chris Daniels.{{cite web |url=http://web.qdsxlq.com/2012/1211/413.shtml |script-title=zh:青岛新外援曾在韩国联赛20+10+ |work=qdsxlq.com |language=zh |date=December 11, 2012 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116055322/http://web.qdsxlq.com/2012/1211/413.shtml |archive-date=January 16, 2013 }}

= Barako Bull Energy (2013) =

On April 3, 2013, Mbenga signed with the Barako Bull Energy of the Philippine Basketball Association.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportando.com/en/world/asia/100242/dj-mbenga-inks-with-barako-bull-energy-in-the-philippines.html |title=DJ Mbenga inks with Barako Bull Energy in the Philippines |work=Sportando.com |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=May 1, 2013}}{{cite web |last=Joble |first=Rey |url=http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/barako-bull-expects-more-inside-presence-from-ex-laker-dj-mbenga |title=Barako Bull expects 'more inside presence' from ex-Laker DJ Mbenga |work=InterAksyon.com |date=April 3, 2013 |access-date=May 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508011803/http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/barako-bull-expects-more-inside-presence-from-ex-laker-dj-mbenga |archive-date=May 8, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

On October 8, 2014, Mbenga signed with the New York Knicks.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/knicks-sign-didier |title=Knicks Sign Didier Mbenga |work=NBA.com |date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=October 8, 2014}} However, he was later waived by the Knicks on October 24, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.nba.com/knicks/news/knicks-waive-didier-mbenga-orlando-sanchez |title=Knicks Waive Orlando Sanchez, Didier Mbenga |work=NBA.com |date=October 24, 2014 |access-date=October 24, 2014}}

NBA career statistics

=Regular season=

| align="left" | {{nbay|2004}}

| align="left" | Dallas

| 15 || 1 || 3.9 || .429 || .000 || .750 || .5 || .0 || .0 || .3 || 1.0

| align="left" | {{nbay|2005}}

| align="left" | Dallas

| 43 || 1 || 5.5 || .533 || .000 || .500 || 1.3 || .0 || .1 || .6 || 1.7

| align="left" | {{nbay|2006}}

| align="left" | Dallas

| 21 || 0 || 3.8 || .313 || .000 || .875 || .5 || .3 || .1 || .2 || .8

| align="left" | {{nbay|2007}}

| align="left" | Golden State

| 16 || 0 || 8.1 || .391 || .000 || .500 || 1.9 || .3 || .2 || .6 || 1.2

| align="left" | {{nbay|2007}}

| align="left" | L.A. Lakers

| 26 || 0 || 7.5 || .492 || .000 || .400 || 1.6 || .2 || .2 || .6 || 2.5

| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|2008}}†

| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers

| 23 || 0 || 7.9 || .474 || .000 || .875 || 1.3 || .4 || .4 || 1.0 || 2.7

| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| {{nbay|2009}}†

| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers

| 49 || 2 || 7.2 || .466 || .000 || .474 || 1.8 || .2 || .1 || .6 || 1.8

| align="left" | {{nbay|2010}}

| align="left" | New Orleans

| 41 || 0 || 8.0 || .469 || .000 || .722 || 2.1 || .1 || .1 || .7 || 1.4

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 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

| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| 2009†

| style="text-align:left;"| L.A. Lakers

| 7 || 0 || 2.3 || .167 || .000 || .000 || .4 || .0 || .0 || .3 || .3

| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| 2010†

| style="text-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

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 29 || 0 || 3.7 || .440 || .000 || .800 || 1.0 || .1 || .1 || .2 || .9

Personal

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

In 2005, Mbenga started the Mbenga Foundation with the goal to help children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and refugees in Belgium.{{cite web |url=http://www.thetimetv.com/news-jaeger-lecoultre-hosts-los-angeles-lakers-the-beverly-hills-boutique-1188-14 |title=Jaeger-LeCoultre hosts Los Angeles Lakers at the Beverly Hills boutique |work=TheTimeTV.com |access-date=October 9, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014063137/http://www.thetimetv.com/news-jaeger-lecoultre-hosts-los-angeles-lakers-the-beverly-hills-boutique-1188-14 |archive-date=October 14, 2014 }}