NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo Passes Away at 58 After Battle with Brain Cancer

The basketball world was surprised this morning by the lack of one of many best shot-blockers within the historical past of the game. It was introduced that NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo has handed away on the age of 58 from mind most cancers.

On October 15, 2022, he revealed that he had been recognized with a mind tumor.

That is an surprising loss for one of many friendliest and greatest teammates the sport has ever seen. The large man entered the league in 1991 after a dominant school profession at Georgetown. He by no means disenchanted—all the time a consummate skilled and an elite defender.

Mutombo was one in every of solely three NBA gamers to win 4 Defensive Participant of the Yr awards in his profession. He was additionally an eight-time NBA All-Star and performed in back-to-back NBA Finals with the Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, dropping each to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mutombo was the participant groups usually appeared to of their makes an attempt to stage the taking part in subject towards SHAQ, who dominated the paint.

The Denver Nuggets and Atlanta Hawks have retired his quantity 55 jersey, and he was extensively often known as a passionate humanitarian. He based his personal charitable basis in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In 2001 and 2009, Mutombo received the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. He was additionally one of many largest world ambassadors for the Particular Olympics. A large each in stature and coronary heart, Mutombo might be missed by many.

Here’s a assertion from NBA Commissioner Adam Silver:

“Dikembe Mutombo was merely bigger than life,” Silver mentioned in an announcement. “On the courtroom, he was one of many best shot-blockers and defensive gamers in NBA historical past. Off the courtroom, he poured his coronary heart and soul into serving to others.

“There was no one extra certified than Dikembe to function the NBA’s first International Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He beloved what the sport of basketball may do to make a optimistic influence on communities, particularly in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of touring the world with Dikembe and noticed firsthand how his generosity and compassion uplifted individuals. He was all the time accessible at NBA occasions over time—along with his infectious smile, deep booming voice, and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball followers of each technology.”

The large man completed his profession with almost 3,300 blocks, rating second all-time (3,289). He’s survived by his spouse, Rose, and his son, Ryan.