The basketball world is mourning the death of NBA Global Ambassador and Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo.
He passed away at the age of 58 from brain cancer.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “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 travelling 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.”
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Mutombo blocked 3,289 shots, the second most in NBA history, during his long career that included stops in Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.
Many of those blocked shots were followed by an intimidating finger wag, telling opponents that it was in their best interest not to shoot the basketball within reach of the 7-foot-2 star.
Mutombo was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year four times.
After his basketball career, Mutombo dedicated his life to charitable health care efforts back in his native DRC and other developing countries.
The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital’s emergency room, intensive care unit and 150 beds began serving patients in Kinshasa, when it opened in December 2007.
