NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer.
The eight-time NBA All-Star, who retired in 2009, had an illustrious 18-year career playing for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
Mutombo began treatment for a brain tumor in October 2022.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” stated NBA commissioner Adam Silver, reflecting on the impact Mutombo had on the sport and beyond.
Dikembe Mutombo, a towering figure in the NBA at 7 feet 2 inches tall, passed away after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Renowned for being one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history, Mutombo made a lasting impact both on and off the court. His dedication to helping others was as notable as his on-court achievements.
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo was discovered while studying at Georgetown University. He was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, where he quickly made a name for himself. His warm personality, combined with his trademark finger-wagging celebration after blocking shots, endeared him to fans across the league.
Throughout his career, Mutombo reached the NBA Finals twice: first with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2001 and then with the New Jersey Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) in 2003. His defensive prowess was legendary, leading the NBA in blocked shots for five consecutive seasons and setting a record for blocks per game over three consecutive seasons.
After retiring in 2009, both the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets honored Mutombo by retiring his jersey number 55. His contributions to the sport were further recognized when he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2015.
Beyond basketball, Mutombo served as a global ambassador for the NBA and dedicated himself to humanitarian efforts in his home country. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver highlighted Mutombo’s passion for using basketball as a force for good, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Africa.
“Dikembe loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities,” Silver remarked. He noted Mutombo’s accessibility at NBA events over the years, where his infectious smile, deep booming voice, and signature finger wag resonated with basketball fans of all ages.
