Dikembe Mutombo, the legendary NBA player and Hall of Famer, passed away on Monday at the age of 58 due to brain cancer, the league announced. His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor.
Known for his formidable defense and shot-blocking ability, Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA with teams including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers. He was an eight-time All-Star and won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award four times. Mutombo was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver praised Mutombo as “larger than life,” noting his significant contributions both on and off the court. Mutombo was a passionate humanitarian, founding the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve health and education in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Current players, including Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, expressed their admiration for Mutombo, highlighting his impact as a role model. His legacy as a player and global ambassador for basketball will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
