Oklahoma City Thunder center Bismack Biyombo collapsed Wednesday during his team’s game against the Portland Trail Blazers due to dehydration from fasting.
Biyombo was standing in front of the Thunder bench, greeting his teammates as they left the court for a timeout, when he suddenly collapsed.
THURSDAY, he went toformerly known as Twitter, to explain why he is fasting and to thank people who contacted him after his collapse.
“Every person has their own way of connecting with God,” he said in a video. “Obviously, for me, I’ve been fasting for 15 years and it’s my way of connecting with God. (I’ve) never had a problem (fasting before).
Through testing, no other medical issues were discovered and doctors cleared Biyombo to participate in Friday’s game against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN.
“I’m just grateful to feel good,” he said.
Biyombo followed his video with a Tweeterjoking that “God needed to remind me that I’m human and he decided to do it in front of the world.”
Is Bismack Biyombo a Christian?
Biyombo is Christian. In an interview with Hoops hype As an NBA rookie in 2012, he revealed his faith when asked about his experience leaving the Democratic Republic of Congo to play in Yemen as a teenager.
“You know, there have been difficulties because of my religious beliefs,” he said. “I’m a Christian and sometimes Christians and Muslims don’t get along. …But in the end, it was a great experience.
What did Bismack Biyombo say about his faith?
Biyombo credited God for his career and allowing him to pursue his dream while speaking to NBC Sports in November.
“God has done some of the most incredible things in my life so far,” he said. “When I went to Yemen, my hope was just to become a professional athlete, and then I realized I could make it to the NBA. God has put so many people in my journey that have allowed me to achieve these goals and He continues to do so. I am forever grateful for my journey.
In the summer of 2022, Biyombo met with Pope Francis to discuss the work being done by his foundation, the Bismack Biyombo Foundation, “renovating hospitals, building schools and building a hospital” which he named in honor of his late father.
“Wow, what a day!” I cannot express in words what a blessing it was to be in the presence of Pope Francis. I wish my parents were here to witness this, but I just know my mom is absolutely happy she got to do this and I know my dad is beaming from above,” he wrote on X.
