NBA Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, the 7-foot-2, finger-wagging heart who was nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” for his defensive prowess, has died of mind most cancers on the age of 58, the league introduced Monday.
Mutombo’s household revealed two years in the past that he was present process remedy in Atlanta, Georgia, for a mind tumor. The NBA mentioned he died surrounded by his household.
“Dikembe Mutombo was merely bigger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned in an announcement. “On the court docket, he was one of many biggest shot blockers and defensive gamers within the historical past of the NBA. Off the ground, he poured his coronary heart and soul into serving to others.
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— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
“There was no person extra certified than Dikembe to function the NBA’s first World Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He cherished what the sport of basketball might do to make a optimistic affect on communities, particularly in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the continent of Africa.
“I had the privilege of touring the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted folks. He was at all times accessible at NBA occasions over time — together with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball followers of each technology.”
Dikembe Mutombo performed 18 NBA seasons and earned eight All-Star picks and 6 All-Defensive honors
Mutombo moved to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo at age 21 to play faculty basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas. The younger standout was chosen fourth general within the 1991 draft.
He performed 18 NBA seasons (1991-2009) for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, then-New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets earlier than retiring after the 2008-09 season.
In 1,196 profession NBA regular-season video games (997 begins), he averaged 9.8 factors, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 help, 2.8 blocks, and 30.8 minutes per contest whereas capturing 51.8% from the sector and 68.4% on the free throw line.
The Congolese-American hooper earned eight NBA All-Star picks and 6 All-Defensive honors. He additionally gained Defensive Participant of the 12 months 4 occasions (1995, 1997, 1998, 2001).
Dikembe Mutombo’s son, Ryan, shared a particular message honoring his father ❤️
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— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 30, 2024
Moreover, Mutombo ranks twentieth in rebounds (12,359) and completed with 3,289 profession blocks, second to Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830). The Georgetown product was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2015 after main the league in rebounds twice (2000, 2001) and blocks thrice (1994-1996).
His No. 55 jersey is retired by each the Nuggets and the Hawks.
“It’s a tragic day, particularly for us Africans — and actually the entire world — as a result of, apart from what he’s achieved on the basketball court docket, I feel he was even higher off the court docket,” 76ers heart Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, mentioned Monday.
“He’s one of many guys that I look as much as, so far as having an affect, not simply on the court docket, however off the court docket. He’s achieved quite a lot of nice issues. He did quite a lot of nice issues for lots of people, so he was a task mannequin of mine. It’s a tragic day.”
Mutombo would wag his proper index finger after blocking a shot
Dikembe Mutombo will probably be remembered for displaying a playful wag of his proper index finger after blocking a shot.
“Any time I’d block pictures, folks would nonetheless be coming and making an attempt to place a bit of bit on me. Then I used to shake my head each time I’d block the shot,” Mutombo as soon as defined, in accordance with ESPN’s report.
“Then I mentioned, man, f—okay this. These guys will not be listening to me. Perhaps if I begin giving them the finger wag. And I inform you what, I misplaced some huge cash due to that finger wag, man. I bought so many technical fouls, however no referee would kick me out of the sport.”
After retiring from the NBA, Mutombo collaborated with varied charitable and humanitarian organizations. He served as an envoy for the game, significantly within the improvement of the Basketball Africa League.
“It’s actually laborious to consider, and it’s laborious for us to be with out that man,” mentioned Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri. “You don’t have any concept what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. … I’ve to say although, that man, he made us who we’re. That man is a huge. An unimaginable individual. Who’re we with out Dikembe Mutombo? Not attainable. It’s really not.
“I went to Dikembe Mutombo’s hometown with him. I went to his hospital, and you don’t have any concept what that man means to the world. He’s gone. He’s left us. … That man was the most important big that you may ever discover. The most important coronary heart.”
NBA legend based the Dikembe Mutombo Basis in 1997
Sixers president Daryl Morey, who was with Mutombo for a lot of seasons in Houston, was knowledgeable of his buddy’s loss of life in the course of the crew’s media day Monday.
“There aren’t many guys like him,” Morey mentioned. “Only a nice human being. Once I was a rookie GM on this league, my first likelihood in Houston, he was somebody I went to on a regular basis. … His accomplishments on the court docket, we don’t want to speak about an excessive amount of. Simply an incredible human being, what he did off the court docket for Africa. Relaxation in peace, Dikembe.”
Mutombo additionally spoke 9 languages and based the Dikembe Mutombo Basis in 1997. His efforts helped to enhance well being, schooling, and high quality of life for the folks in Congo.
