NBA Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo, has passed away at 58 years old.
According to reports, Mutombo lost his battle with brain cancer. The announcement was made on the NBA Communications X account. “NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.”
Adam Silver, the NBA Commissioner also released a statement about Mutombo’s passing. See the post below. https://x.com/nbapr/status/1840765200108044507?s=46&t=f45LpfSMP2bWXL9mF3rs_Q
Mutombo was best known for his shot-blocking abilities on the court. In total, he rejected 3,289 shots, making him the second person in NBA history to do so. During his career, he played for New York, New Jersey, Denver, Atlanta, Houston, and Phildelphia. Aside from blocking shots, he will be best known for wagging his finger at his opponents, warning them against taking the shot.
After retiring in 2009, Mutombo decided to dedicate his life to charitable healthcare efforts in his native Democratic Republic of Congo as well as other countries. In 2007, he opened the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital’s emergency room, which came equipped with 150 beds.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones during this time.