Charles Barkley recently shared a hilarious yet insightful anecdote about his late friend and NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo during an episode of the Steam Room podcast.
Reflecting on Mutombo’s life and larger-than-life personality, Barkley recounted the story of how Mutombo canceled his wedding because his fiancée refused to sign a prenuptial agreement—a decision that showcased both Mutombo’s principles and his humor.
The tale begins with Mutombo, known as much for his dominant shot-blocking as for his iconic finger wag, preparing for his wedding. Barkley explained that Mutombo insisted his fiancée sign a prenup well in advance.
“He told the girl, ‘You have to sign a prenup,’” Barkley began. “She said, ‘I’m not signing a prenup.’” Mutombo, however, stood firm, bringing up the matter repeatedly as the wedding date approached.
As the countdown to the big day continued, Mutombo’s resolve didn’t waver. Two months out, he asked her again. She refused. A month before the wedding, he brought it up once more. Again, she declined. Finally, on the actual day of the wedding, with everything ready to go, Mutombo issued a final ultimatum. Barkley recalled, “Day of the wedding, she walks in, and he says, ‘You’ve got to sign this prenup.’ She says, ‘No.’”
True to his word, Mutombo called off the wedding on the spot. However, he didn’t wallow in regret or sorrow. Instead, he rallied his close friends Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning, and the trio headed to Las Vegas to party and make the most of the situation. Barkley laughed as he shared this detail, underscoring Mutombo’s ability to turn even a potentially disheartening moment into an opportunity for camaraderie and fun.
While the story is already entertaining, it’s Mutombo’s reaction to the aftermath that truly cemented his legendary humor. Barkley recounted Mutombo’s primary complaint:
“You know the worst thing about it, Charlie? They ate my cake.” Barkley, incredulous, asked, “Are you serious?” To which Mutombo replied, “I wasn’t upset about not getting married. She wouldn’t sign the prenup. But they ate my cake!”
Mutombo’s signature laugh, which Barkley imitated during the podcast, punctuated the story and highlighted the warmth and humor that made the Congolese-born NBA star such a beloved figure. “Man, we’re going to miss him in the NBA,” Barkley said, expressing a sentiment shared by basketball fans worldwide following Mutombo’s passing in the offseason.
The story serves as a reminder of Mutombo’s integrity and charm. It’s not just about his insistence on a prenuptial agreement, but also about his ability to maintain his sense of humor and joy even in the face of disappointment. As Barkley and countless others have attested, Mutombo’s presence was larger than life, both on and off the court, and his legacy will continue to inspire laughter, respect, and admiration.
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