The global basketball community mourns Dikebe Mutombo’s untimely death. Mutombo, originally from the Congo (then Zaire) and noted for his charity work in Africa, was one of the leading blockers in NBA history with 3,289 career blocks.
“His undying spirit will live on in the people he inspired and helped in his exciting life,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Mutombo was an economic migrant and arrived in the US at the age of 21 without knowing English (while speaking 5 other languages) when he received an athletic scholarship from Georgetown College.
The towering (2.18m) Mutombo rose to fame as a member of the Denver Nuggets, while also playing for several other teams in his 18-year career (1991-2009): Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York, Houston. He played in 8 All-Star Games, was named Defensive Player of the Year 4 times and was a member of the NBA Hall Of Fame.
Dikebe Mutombo has been suffering from brain cancer for the past two years. He was only 58 years old.
“Dikebe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “On the court, he was one of the greatest blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the court, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.
“There was no one better suited than Dikembe to become the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at heart. He loved what basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo and across the African continent. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikebe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion lifted people up. 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.”
Mutombo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, played 18 NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before retiring after the 2008-09 season.
He was a four-time league Defensive Player of the Year, earned three All-NBA selections and played in eight All-Star Games. He is 20th in rebounds (12,359) and finished with 3,289 career blocks, second only to Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830).
He followed most blocks with a playful wave of his right index finger, a gesture that became his permanent signature and inspired many others after him.
“Every time I would block shots, people would still come up and try to put some on me. Back then I used to shake my head every time I blocked the shot,” Mutombo once explained. “Then I said, man, fuck this… this. These guys don’t listen to me. Maybe if I start pointing the finger at them. And I’ll tell you something, I lost a lot of money because of that finger wagging, man. I got so many technical fouls, but no referee was throwing me out of the game.”
After his playing career, he worked extensively for charity and humanitarian causes. He has been an ambassador for the sport, particularly in the development of the Basketball Africa League, which completed its second season in 2022.
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