NEW YORK: The NBA announced on Monday, September 30, that Dikembe Mutombo, the renowned Basketball Hall of Famer, has passed away at the age of 58 due to brain cancer.
Mutombo, a towering figure at seven feet two inches, was a fan favorite known for his remarkable shot-blocking abilities. Throughout his impressive career, he earned eight NBA All-Star selections and was honored as the league’s defensive player of the year on four occasions.
“Dikembe Mutombo was a truly larger-than-life figure. On the court, he established himself as one of the finest shot-blockers and defensive talents in NBA history. Off the court, he dedicated himself to uplifting others,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated in a press release.
His charismatic nature, highlighted by his signature finger-wagging celebration, endeared him to fans during his 18-season tenure with six different teams, where he averaged 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. He made it to the NBA Finals twice during his career.
Following his retirement in 2009, Mutombo became the NBA’s inaugural global ambassador, actively working to promote basketball in Africa.
“He was passionate about the positive influence basketball could have on communities, particularly in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and throughout Africa,” Silver remarked.
