Dikembe Mutombo, an NBA Hall of Famer known for his impressive 18-season career and his global outreach, has passed away at 58 following a battle with brain cancer, the NBA announced on Monday.
“Dikembe Mutombo was truly larger than life,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a statement. “He was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players ever. Off the court, he devoted himself to helping others.”
The 7-foot-2 center was drafted fourth overall in 1991 by the Denver Nuggets, where he quickly made his mark, averaging 16.6 points and 12.3 rebounds in his rookie season, nearly securing the NBA Rookie of the Year award. Over his career, Mutombo played for six teams, earned eight All-Star selections, and made three All-NBA teams. His signature shot-blocking ability led the league from 1994 to 1996, and he was named NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times.
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo came to the U.S. to play at Georgetown University under the iconic coach John Thompson. He spent five years with the Nuggets before signing with the Atlanta Hawks in 1996, and later played for the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and finished his career with the Houston Rockets.
Hawks’ owner Tony Ressler shared his condolences, calling Mutombo “a proud and honorable man” whose humanitarian efforts, especially in Africa, left a lasting impact. His passionate defense, fan-favorite “finger wag,” and commitment to the game made him a star both on and off the court.
Mutombo retired in 2009, having amassed 11,729 points and 12,359 rebounds. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. After retirement, the NBA named him its first Global Ambassador, where he worked to expand the game’s influence, particularly in Africa.
“Dikembe was a humanitarian at heart,” said Silver, highlighting his efforts to use basketball as a tool for positive change, especially in his native Congo and across Africa.
In 2022, Mutombo revealed that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor in Atlanta. His legacy continues to resonate both in the basketball world and in the many lives he touched through his philanthropic work.
