Jonathan Kuminga’s basketball journey began in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where his passion for the sport first took root. At just 13, he made the bold decision to travel to the U.S. in 2016 to pursue his dream. His path wasn’t easy—he attended three different high schools and chose the G League over college basketball to prepare for the NBA, a journey that pushed him to mature quickly.

Reflecting on his transition, Kuminga has shared how challenging it was to go from a boarding school kid to an NBA player. “First of all, there is no money. There is no food,” he said, describing the limited resources for aspiring players back in DR Congo compared to the U.S.

Kuminga added “When I started playing, we used to walk far away to find [a court]. There aren’t gyms all over like you see here. [Here], you walk down two blocks and you find a gym, and a park. You gotta walk like 45 minutes to get to wherever you gotta go to play [back home].”  Despite the hardships, Kuminga was motivated to achieve his dreams.

Later on, he moved to the USA but it wasn’t easy at such a young age as Kuminga says, “We used to go around the country, so leaving my parents wasn’t that hard” However he did not let this affect him, and showed a lot of maturity. He told himself “I was like, I gotta man up. I gotta grow up.” After sacrificing so much everything paid off at last when the Golden State Warriors picked him in the Draft.

Let’s explore his ethnicity and learn about his parents and family.

Is Jonathan Kuminga African?

Jonathan Kuminga was born in Goma, DR Congo on October 6, 2002. He is of African descent and a citizen of DR Congo. He has represented his home country on various occasions, including the FIBA World Cup qualifiers in 2023.

The Warriors star’s Family

Jonathan Kuminga hails from a family deeply rooted in basketball. His parents, Didier Kuminga and Bigitte Kapinga, both played the sport in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he was born. Basketball truly runs in the family, as his older brother, Joel Ntambwe, played for the Texas Tech Red Raiders in 2019.

His cousins have also made names for themselves in the sport—Emmanuel Mudiay plays professionally in Puerto Rico, while Omari Gudul competes in Europe.

“Somebody that I look up to” – Jonathan Kuminga on the late Dikembe Mutombo

Jonathan Kuminga’s passion for basketball ignited early, and his journey from playing in the Democratic Republic of Congo to making it in the NBA is a testament to his determination. However, Kuminga has frequently spoken out about the challenges his homeland faces. The DRC has endured over 30 years of instability, plagued by internal conflicts and cross-border tensions.

Despite the challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jonathan Kuminga is part of a growing legacy of African players who have made it to the NBA. Among the trailblazers is the late Dikembe Mutombo, a Congolese legend who not only left an indelible mark on the NBA but also gave back extensively to his homeland. Through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, he dedicated time and resources, pouring millions into initiatives to support communities in the DRC.

Jonathan Kuminga is committed to following in Dikembe Mutombo’s footsteps by supporting people in his homeland and across Africa. Mutombo’s work has been a powerful inspiration to him. Reflecting on this, Kuminga said, “Just seeing somebody like that, it’s definitely somebody that I look up to on different aspects.” He praised Mutombo’s dedication, adding, “The way he helped the country, the way he helped certain people, building hospitals, helping kids that were needy, sick kids and stuff like that.” Kuminga’s admiration highlights his desire to make a similar impact, using his platform to uplift communities in need.

Kuminga wants to improve conditions for the next generation in his homeland and throughout Africa. This desire to give back has been a driving force for him, as he hopes to contribute meaningfully to his community and inspire positive change across the continent.