Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58.
His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor. The NBA said he died surrounded by his family.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “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.”
Mutombo was distinctive in so many ways — the playful finger wag at opponents after blocking their shots, his height, his deep and gravelly voice, his massive smile. Players of this generation were always drawn to him and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, looked to Mutombo as an inspiration.
“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world,” Embiid said Monday. “Other than what he’s accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court. He’s one of the guys that I look up to, as far as having an impact, not just on the court, but off the court. He’s done a lot of great things. He did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine. It is a sad day.”
Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 center out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection and went into the Hall of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for his career.
“It’s really hard to believe,” Toronto President Masai Ujiri said Monday, pausing several times because he was overcome with emotion shortly after hearing the news of Mutombo’s death. “It’s hard for us to be without that guy. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. … That guy, he made us who we are. That guy is a giant, an incredible person.”
Mutombo last played during the 2008-09 season, devoting his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes. He spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo.
Mutombo served on the boards of many organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador,” Silver said. “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.”
Mutombo is one of three players to win the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year four times. The others: reigning DPOY winner Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Hall of Famer Ben Wallace.
Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey — who was with Mutombo for many seasons in Houston — was informed of his friend’s death during the team’s media day on Monday. Tears welled in Morey’s eyes as he processed the news.
“There aren’t many guys like him,” Morey said. “Just a great human being. When I was a rookie GM in this league, my first chance in Houston, he was someone I went to all the time. … His accomplishments on the court, we don’t need to talk about too much. Just an amazing human being, what he did off the court for Africa. Rest in peace, Dikembe.”
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AP Sports Writer Dan Gelston in Camden, New Jersey, and Associated Press writer Ian Harrison in Toronto contributed to this report.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Dikembe Mutombo, the legendary Hall of Fame basketball player known for his shot-blocking prowess and humanitarian efforts, has passed away at the age of 58 after a courageous battle with brain cancer. Mutombo’s impact on and off the court has left a lasting legacy that transcends the game of basketball.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo’s journey to the NBA was nothing short of remarkable. Standing at 7 feet 2 inches tall, he quickly made a name for himself as one of the most dominant defensive players in the league. Mutombo was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and an eight-time All-Star during his illustrious career, which spanned over 18 seasons with several teams including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Houston Rockets.
But Mutombo’s impact went beyond his on-court achievements. He was a vocal advocate for social justice and humanitarian causes, using his platform to raise awareness and funds for various initiatives. Mutombo was known for his philanthropic work, particularly in his home country of Congo, where he built hospitals and schools to improve the lives of those in need.
In 2009, Mutombo was awarded the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for his outstanding service and dedication to the community. He was also named a global ambassador for the NBA, traveling around the world to promote the game of basketball and inspire others to make a positive impact in their communities.
Mutombo’s battle with brain cancer was a difficult one, but he faced it with grace and courage. Throughout his treatment, he remained optimistic and continued to inspire others with his resilience and determination. His passing is a great loss to the basketball community and beyond, but his legacy will live on through his charitable work and the countless lives he touched.
As we mourn the loss of Dikembe Mutombo, let us remember him not only as a basketball icon but as a compassionate advocate for those in need. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of sports to bring about positive change in the world. Rest in peace, Dikembe Mutombo. You will be dearly missed.
