Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away Monday morning from brain cancer at age 58, the NBA announced (via Twitter).
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. “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, his deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.
“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues on in those who he has helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife Rose, and their children; his many friends; and the global basketball community which he truly loved and which loved him back.”
Mutombo was among the NBA’s most feared shot blockers during his 18-year NBA career, with those rejections often punctuated by his trademark finger wag. He was an eight-time All-Star, four-time Defensive Player of the Year and two-time member of the All-NBA team. He played for the Nuggets, Hawks, Sixers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets before retiring in 2009 at age 42. His number 55 was retired in both Denver and Atlanta.
Beyond his accomplishments as a player, Mutombo worked to improve living conditions in his native country and to encourage the development of basketball throughout Africa. He participated in the Basketball Without Borders program, served as a spokesman for CARE and was an emissary for the United Nations Development Program. He won the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award in 2001 and 2009 and received a President’s Service Award in 1999.
Mutombo’s longtime friend, Raptors executive Masai Ujiri, addressed his passing when he heard the news at the team’s media day, tweets Josh Lewenberg of TSN Sports.
“It’s really hard to believe. It’s hard for us to be without that guy,” Ujiri said while fighting back tears. “You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. He made us who we are. That guy is a giant, an incredible person. Who are we without him? Today is not a good day, for sports, for us, for us in Africa. … But we’ll celebrate him and celebrate him big. Big. That guy is bigger than life, I’m telling you. … As big as his big shoes were, as big as his hands were, he was bigger as a person. And his heart was bigger.”
Our condolences go out to Dikembe’s family and friends.
May his memory be a blessing.
RIP Dikembe Mutombo. Your impact on the game will never go away. The infectious smile, and competitive drive you had was thrilling to watch. One of the best defensive big’s ever. Thoughts to your family and loved ones.
Great player but even a BETTER person and humanitarian.
Wow, truly sad news. RIP
RIP to an absolute legend of this game, so many memories…
Dikember was so good I’d bet even as of yesterday you could of put him in an NBA game and he’d give you 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 blocks. He was that good!
no……his knees were shot. theres no way
He also had brain cancer…
there’s also that, yes
Wow, player from my childhood. Huge blow. May he RIP.
No no no :( Ultimate finger wave. Ain’t nobody going to reject him going up. RIP
Very sad day and may Dikembe Mutombo Rest in Peace!!!!
Blown away to hear this. Remembering him with AI.
Rip Tumbo. Very sad news!
RIP Dikembe ….
58 is young. Cancer sucks man.
One of best rim protectors ever. Showed that a center who plays D and rebounds. Can impact the game at a high level. God bless sir…….
RIP
Rest in peace, Deke. All of us who were basketball fans in your era revere you as one of the NBA’s greats. Your legacy will live on always.
RIP good man. His son I believe is a free agent C right now. Graduated this year. Can block shots
Would always want a C like him starting on my team but I do remember prime Lakers Shaq still dominating despite Mutonmbo out there with Iverson. Still a great C. 8th place Nuggets beat the number 1 seed Sonics in the first round.
RIP
One of many 90s era favourites of mine…
So sorry to hear the news of Dikembe’s passing. I believe everyone who started following the NBA in the 90s has vivid memories of him, doing his finger wagging, the iconic image of him lying on his back and holding the ball up in his hands, with pride and joy on his face after defeating the nr. 1 seeded Sonics in 1994, or his deep, raspy voice or booming laugh. It also speaks volumes about his greatness that even though everyone remembers him as a 90s era player, he played well beyond after that. He replaced an injured Yao Ming as the Rockets’ starting center midway through the team’s 22 game winning streak in 2008, and he was almost 42 years old at the time! And now, only a mere 16 years later, he is already gone. Life is strange and sad sometimes. A truly one of a kind player and career, as well as a one of a kind person. RIP Dikembe Mutombo.
Wow, I missed this news. Sad to hear one of the greatest block party holders ever had passed away. Condolences to his family and friends. The game has lost one of its top ambassadors and besr defensive centers to ever play.