Source: Quinn Harris / Getty
The NBA legend’s death was confirmed by Commissioner
Adam Silver, who spoke about how much Mutombo meant to the globalization of the game and his humanitarian efforts since retiring.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” 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. 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.”
A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo moved to the States at 21 to play for Georgetown. After a stint in college—-where he was named Big East Defensive Player Of The Year—he was picked by the Denver Nuggets with the fourth pick in the 1991 draft.
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His 7-foot stature made him a fan favorite. He easily blocked his opponents and became known for wagging his finger after swatting shots and exclaiming, “No, no, no.”
During his career, he was named to the NBA’s All-Star team eight times and even won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award four times.
After six years in Denver, he joined the
Atlanta Hawks, teamed up with Allen Iverson on the 76ers, and later played for the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks before finishing his career with the Houston Rockets.
After 18 seasons, Mutombo retired from the league and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. More importantly, his philanthropic efforts began to flourish as he grew his foundation to improve the living conditions in his native Congo, built a hospital, and helped grow the sport through
NBA Africa.
Back in 2022, his family revealed that he was
diagnosed with a brain tumor and was seeking treatment in Atlanta.
See how social media is reacting to the legend’s death below.
