Nationwide — Dikembe Mutombo, the legendary NBA Hall of Fame center known for his signature finger wag and his impactful post-basketball career as a global ambassador, has passed away at the age of 58 due to brain cancer, the NBA announced.
Two years ago, Mutombo’s family disclosed that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor in Atlanta. The NBA confirmed that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver reflected on Mutombo’s legacy, saying, “Dikembe Mutombo was larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest defenders and shot blockers the NBA has ever seen. Off the court, he was a humanitarian dedicated to making the world a better place, especially in his homeland of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and across Africa. His influence and passion for basketball and philanthropy will be remembered forever.”
According to ESPN, Mutombo, who ranks second in NBA history with 3,289 blocked shots, was famous for playfully wagging his right index finger after each block, a gesture that became his trademark during and after his 18-season NBA career. The 7-foot-2 center played for teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets before retiring in 2009.
The Georgetown University graduate earned the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times, made three All-NBA teams, and appeared in eight All-Star Games. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015, and his No. 55 jersey was retired by both the Nuggets and the Hawks.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, originally from Cameroon, expressed his sorrow over Mutombo’s passing: “He was an inspiration, not just for what he accomplished on the court, but for all the great work he did off the court. He was a role model for me and for many others. It’s a truly sad day.”
Off the court, Mutombo was known for his extensive humanitarian work. He founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, which focused on improving healthcare, education, and the quality of life for people in Congo. His foundation helped build a 170-bed hospital in Kinshasa, which has since provided care to nearly half a million people regardless of their ability to pay.
NBA executives and teammates, including Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri and Sixers president Daryl Morey, shared emotional tributes to Mutombo, calling him an irreplaceable giant in both the basketball and humanitarian worlds. His legacy of compassion and global outreach has left an indelible mark on countless lives.
As Silver concluded in his statement, “Dikembe’s spirit lives on through the many lives he touched. On behalf of the NBA family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Rose, their children, and all who loved him.”
