Dikembe Mutombo Dies at Age 58 from Brain Cancer
Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58 from brain cancer. The Hall of Fame Center was known on the court for wagging his finger after blocking shots. Mutombo’s family revealed two years ago he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor. The NBA said he died surrounded by his family. While he was great on the court, he was an even better human being off it. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.
There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years — with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.
View this post on Instagram
Mutombo played 18 NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, then-New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before retiring after the 2008-09 season.
The 7-foot-2 former Georgetown center was the league’s top defensive player four times, earned three All-NBA selections and played in eight All-Star Games. He ranks 20th in rebounds (12,359) and finished with 3,289 blocks, second to Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830).
