Basketball: Mutombo named NBA Hall of Famer

Eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo was named Monday as one of 11 (inductees this year to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Mutombo, the dominant 7-foot-2 center starred at college basketball powerhouse Georgetown University, had played 18 standout NBA seasons,

using his finger-wagging index finger as a signature gesture after blocking opponents' shots.

"It's a dream come true I never thought about being a basketball player," the Congolese-native said. "I thought about studying medicine and helping people. It's amazing."

Mutombo will be joined in the Hall of Fame class of 2015 by three-time WNBA Most Valuable Player Lisa Leslie, two-time college coach of the year John Calipari, ABA and four-time NBA All-Star Spencer Haywood, seven-time All-Star Jo Jo White and ironman NBA referee Dick Bavetta, who officiated 2,635 consecutive games during his 39-year career.

John Isaacs, ABA star Louie Dampier, coaches Lindsay Gaze and Tom Heinsohn and contributor George Raveling were previously announced during NBA all-star weekend in February.

Candidates needed at least 18 of 24 votes from the honors committee to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The induction ceremony is September 11 in Springfield, Massachusetts.