NBA legend and Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away after battling brain cancer, according to ESPN. He was 58.
According to the report, Mutombo was surrounded by his family during his final moments.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued a statement praising Mutombo’s work as the inaugural global ambassador of the league.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life on the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA,” Silver’s statement read. “Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”
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/fkFPaiMVD3
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 30, 2024
“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,” the statement continued. “I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand 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.”
Born Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,he was one of 10 children of Samuel, an educator, and Biamba Marie Mutombo.
Mutombo spoke English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese as well as five Central African languages including Lingala and Tshiluba.
Although he played soccer, trained in martial arts, and he wanted to pursue a career in the medical field because he stood 7 ‘2, his father persuaded him to pursue basketball and at the age of 21, Mutombo relocated to the United States in 1987.
While enrolled at Georgetown University on a USAID scholarship, he was recruited to play for John Thompson, the legendary coach of the Georgetown Hoyas. Teaming up with future Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning, he was twice named Big East Defensive Player of the Year in1990 and 1991, leading the Hoyas.
After graduating with bachelor’s degrees in linguistics and diplomacy, Mutombo was drafted number four by the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Draft. During his rookie season, Mutombo was selected for his first All-Star team averaging 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and nearly three blocks per game making the Nuggets playoff contenders in the Western Conference.
During free agency, Mutombo inked a 5-year, $55 million contract with the Atlanta Hawks. Recognized as one of the best defensive players in the league, Mutombo led Atlanta to back-to-back 50+-win seasons in 1996–97 and 1997–98 and was named Defensive Player of the Year both years.
At the NBA trade deadline in 2001, Mutombo was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers who were leading the Philadelphia Sixers in the Eastern Conference. After the trade, Mutombo with fellow Georgetown alum Allen Iverson led the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals which would be Mutombo’s only appearance in the Finals. The Sixers would be defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers four games to one.
Mutombo would go on to play with the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and the New Jersey Nets in 18 years in the NBA.
Following his retirement in 2009, Mutombo’s number 55 jersey was retired by the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks.
On September 11, 2015, Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Off the court, Mutombo’s impact was even greater on the continent of Africa. Through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, he helped thousands of women receive free cervical and breast cancer screenings. He also served as an ambassador of the NBA and was instrumental in the development of the Basketball Africa League.
