African basketball legend and Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo, has passed away at the age of 58 from brain cancer, Afrosport reports.
The eight-time NBA All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year, who was diagnosed with the illness in October 2022, died on Monday while surrounded by family.
NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/uHgZgSBDUJ
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, enjoyed an 18-year career in the NBA, playing for six different teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets (Brooklyn Nets), New York Knicks, Houston Rockets.
The 7-foot-2 center led the NBA in blocks for three consecutive seasons in 1994, 1995 and 1996, as well as in rebounds for two seasons (2000 & 2001). Both the Hawks and Nuggets have retired his number, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Dikembe’s son, Ryan, also paid tribute to his father with a heartfelt post on Instagram.
He wrote: “My dad will forever be my hero. Not because of his success — not because of the millions who, over the last four decades, have come to know and love him. My dad is my hero because he simply cared. He remains the purest heart I have ever known.
“At times, I thought of my dad as a super-human. The child in me would sigh to hear that this was never actually the case. My dad was a regular man who would stop at no lengths to honor the world, its people, and its creator. He loved others with every ounce of his being. That’s what made him so accessible. That’s what made him real.
“Dikembe Mutombo was salt and light, and today, on the 30th of September, 2024, he has been called to rest.
“I love you, Dad. Rest easy.”
Ryan Mutombo, Dikembe’s son, pays tribute to his father on IG 🙏
“My dad will forever be my hero. Not because of his success — not because of the millions who, over the last four decades, have come to know and love him. My dad is my hero because he simply cared. He remains the… pic.twitter.com/w0mOvhknwr
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 30, 2024
Mutombo, the fourth overall pick in the 1991 Draft, was named to the NBA All-Defensive team six times as well as claiming three All-NBA team selections.
Known widely for his defensive prowess and customary finger wag, Mutombo felt larger than life as his No. 55 jersey was retired by both the Hawks and Nuggets.
After his retirement from the NBA in 2009, Mutombo majorly focused on philanthropic and humanitarian activities, with the aim of giving back to his home country of DR Congo alongside the African continent. He created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997 to improve living conditions in the DRC, which saw him receive numerous awards from the NBA and other organisations for his work in Africa as he set out to reduce the spread of polio, and improve health, education and quality of life in the region.
He scored 11,729 points, grabbed 12, 359 rebounds and managed 3,289 blocks in his career, which saw him average 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for his career.
