Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, renowned for his shot-blocking prowess and signature finger wag after rejecting opponents at the hoop, passed away on Monday at age 58 due to brain cancer, the NBA confirmed.
Mutombo, inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, was an eight-time NBA All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Known for his defensive dominance, he led the league in blocks for five consecutive seasons during his 18-year career, finishing second on the NBA’s all-time blocked shots list. His intimidating presence on the court was balanced by his playful, radiant smile.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the 7-foot-2 Mutombo came to Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., on an academic scholarship in 1987 and rose to prominence after joining the basketball team in his second year.
He was selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets.
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Throughout his career, Mutombo played for multiple teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets), New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
Off the court, Mutombo was widely recognized for his humanitarian efforts. In 1997, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve education and quality of life in his home country, the DRC.
In 2022, the NBA announced that Mutombo was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor in Atlanta. He passed away surrounded by his family.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute, stating, “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history.
Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others… Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life.”
Silver also highlighted Mutombo’s role as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador and his impact on communities, especially in Africa.
Philadelphia 76ers general manager Daryl Morey also praised Mutombo, calling him “a great human being,” while Sixers star Joel Embiid noted that Mutombo’s influence extended far beyond basketball. “It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans… He was a role model of mine,” Embiid said.
Mutombo’s legacy as both a basketball legend and a humanitarian continues to inspire countless people worldwide.
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