Dikembe Mutombo, Basketball Hall of Famer and NBA global ambassador, dies at age 58

Dikembe Mutombo, an NBA Hall of Famer known for his shot blocking and defensive brilliance, died of brain cancer, the NBA announced on Monday.

Mutombo, the NBA's first "global ambassador," was aged 58.

According to the NBA, Mutombo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, was surrounded by his family.

Mutombo was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before moving to the United States to attend Georgetown University, where he played college basketball. Standing seven feet two inches tall, he had an 18-year career in the NBA, during which he played for six teams and was an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was initially selected by the Denver Nuggets as the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.

In 2015, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

With 3,289 career blocks, Mutombo ranks second all-time in NBA history, known for his iconic finger wag celebration after a block. Only Hakeem Olajuwon has recorded more blocked shots in NBA history. Besides the Denver Nuggets, Mutombo also played for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.

The 1994 playoffs are perhaps where he will be best known for his outstanding defensive play that helped the Nuggets pull off a historic upset over the Seattle Supersonics, who became the first No. 1 seed to ever lose to a No. 2 seed.  In the series, Mutombo blocked an NBA-high 31 shots, and the head coach of the Sonics admitted that the center had mentally intimidated his squad.

Seattle coach George Karl stated, "He got in our players' heads at the very beginning and never left."

In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated, "Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life." He was among the best defensive and shot-blocking players in NBA history when it came to the floor. He dropped on the ground and gave his all to assist 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.

“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues on in those who he 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,” Silver’s statement said.

The towering center was also widely recognized for his charitable work off the court. In 1997, Mutombo established the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation with the goal of improving living conditions and expanding access to education in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Speaking to reporters, 76ers star Joel Embiid said: “It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans and really the whole world, because other than what he’s accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court.

“He’s one of the guys that I look up to as far as having an impact, not just on the court but off the court. He’s done a lot of great things, he did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine, so like I said, it is a sad day.”