Suns' Bismack Biyombo donating entire 2022 salary to build hospital in Democratic Republic of the Congo

After spending the last three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Bismack Biyombo sat out the beginning of this season as he mourned his father, who passed away in August. Eventually, the veteran big man decided he was ready to play and signed with the Phoenix Suns, first on a 10-day contract and then for the remainder of the season.

Upon returning, Biyombo wanted to make this season about his father, and did so initially by choosing No. 18 in honor of his birthday. Now, Biyombo has announced the next step of his plan. He will be donating his entire $1.3 million salary from this season towards building a hospital in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"What I told my agent was my salary for this year would be going to the construction of a hospital back home to give hope to the hopeless at home and those individuals who can not take their family members out," Biyombo said. "I want to be able to give them better conditions so that they can somewhat have hope that their loved ones will be able to live and see another day."

Biyombo's father contracted COVID-19 in July, and though he initially recovered it led to further health problems and eventually his death. Along the way, Biyombo was able to consult with doctors in different countries, and eventually had his father flown to Turkey to receive better care. That experience was the driving force behind his decision to build a hospital.

"I am extremely blessed that I am and was in a position to put him on a medical plane and evacuate him into Europe for better medical treatment," Biyombo said. "At this point in my life, my career, I think people back home have to find ways to continue to live even in the tough conditions we were in. Obviously now it's the pandemic. But one of the things is that I want to give these people better conditions by building a hospital that will be named after my dad. I wanted to give them something that will continue to serve people under his name."

Biyombo is averaging 6.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and shooting 61.6 percent from the field for the Suns this season. Alongside JaVale McGee, Biyombo plays an important role backing up Deandre Ayton in the Suns' revamped frontcourt.

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