NBA Hall Of Famer Dikembe Mutombo Has Died At 58 After Battling Brain Cancer

One of the greatest defensive presences in NBA history died on Monday, as Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed at the age of 58 after battling brain cancer.

Mutombo was the most dominant rim protector in the NBA in the 90s, winning four Defensive Player of the Year awards (with three different teams) in his career. Mutombo anchored defenses in Denver, Atlanta, and Philadelphia in the prime of his career, earning eight All-Star appearances, six All-Defense selections, and three All-NBA nods. His finger wag celebration after blocking a shot became iconic, and the game’s best players, like Michael Jordan, held it as a badge of honor any time they challenged Mutombo at the rim and succeeded.

While he was a Hall of Famer for what he did on the court, he had a much greater impact off of it. His humanitarian work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and beyond earned him numerous awards, particularly in helping fight polio in his home country. Mutombo’s legacy in the DRC stands to this day, with the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital just outside Kinshasa he funded to be built in the early 2000s as a physical embodiment of his work giving back.

Mutombo also was the NBA’s first Global Ambassador, spending his post-playing years traveling the world and helping grow the game. Adam Silver released a statement honoring Mutombo’s legacy after news of his passing became public.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. 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 year — with his infections 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. 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.”