Iconic centre, and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58 following a battle with brain cancer the NBA announced Monday.
An 8x All-Star, 4x Defensive Player of the Year award winner, and 18 year NBA veteran, Mutombo spent most of his post-playing career as an ambassador for the sport. His contributions to growing the game globally, especially across the continent of Africa, were on full display this summer at the 2024 Paris Olympics where the South Sudanese team had a breakout performance.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement on Monday. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping 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,” Silver continued. “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.”
Mutombo played an integral role in establishing the Basketball Africa League to help develop domestic talent in African nations. He also served on the boards of numerous charitable foundations, worked with the Special Olympics, and created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation back in 1997.
His tireless efforts helped to break down health, and educational related barriers across his home continent, including the construction of a brand new hospital in the Congo which has helped treat over 500,000 people to date.
The former 4th overall draft pick was diagnosed with a brain tumour back in 2022, but continued to make appearances, and lend his voice to the numerous foundations he committed his time to over the years up until his passing.
Photo: Doha Stadium Plus Qatar. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.