http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=7335
But for DJ Mbenga, tragedy hit even closer to home. Mbenga's father worked for the Congolese government and when his term ended, the new regime looked to purge all those that worked for the old administration. Mbenga's father died in unknown circumstances and as the war raged on, DJ himself was jailed and faced execution.
After nine months of incredibly difficult circumstances in prison, Mbenga escaped; his brother had bribed one of the prison guards and DJ immediately flew to Belgium, where he sought political asylum. While living at a shelter in Belgium, Mbenga was "discovered" by a basketball coach, leading him on the journey that eventually landed him in the NBA and now to his second 10-day contract with one of the most storied franchises in the league.
"Sometimes when they see us or when they talk to us when we come home, we bring them something new, like energy," Mbenga said of fans in the Congo. "Something like new breath, like hope. They can say, 'If this guy can do it, we can do it, too.' Just to show them a different face
— Mags
