Dikembe Mutombo, Iconic NBA Player and Humanitarian, Dies at 58
NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58 following his battle with brain cancer, as announced by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. Mutombo began treatment for a brain tumor in October 2022, but succumbed to the illness on September 30 in Atlanta. This is prepared by SSP.
Mutombo, who retired in 2009 after an 18-season career, was renowned for his extraordinary defensive skills and his distinctive finger-wagging celebration. Standing 7 feet 2 inches tall, he played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets. Over his career, he amassed 3,289 blocked shots, ranking him second in league history only behind Hakeem Olajuwon.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo was discovered by Georgetown University and selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He quickly made a name for himself, leading the NBA in blocked shots for five consecutive seasons and blocks per game for three straight seasons.
"On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history," said Silver. "Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others, especially in his native Congo and across Africa."
Among the many accolades he received, both the Hawks and the Nuggets retired his number 55 jersey, and in 2015, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations, Daryl Morey, emphasized Mutombo’s impact: "There aren’t many guys like him. He was an amazing human being and dedicated humanitarian."
Besides his athletic feats, Mutombo was deeply committed to philanthropic causes. He was a global ambassador for the NBA, served on the board of directors for Special Olympics, and was twice a recipient of the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. His foundation was instrumental in building a $29 million, 300-bed hospital in Kinshasa, dedicated to his mother who had died from a stroke.
Despite the criticisms that his humanitarian efforts distracted him from honing his game, Mutombo believed basketball was merely a vehicle to effect greater change. He often cited an African proverb: "When you take the elevator up to reach the top, please don’t forget to send it back down."
Mutombo is fondly remembered for his resilience and compassion, both on and off the court. He is survived by his wife, Rose Mutombo Kiese, who became a lawyer and politician in Congo, and their seven children. His legacy endures, both through his contributions to basketball and his relentless efforts to improve lives in his homeland.
Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta added, "Dikembe was beloved by the entire NBA community and his tireless humanitarian efforts left an indelible mark on our league."
Joe Murphy, an Indiana Pacers fan, showed his appreciation by saying, "There are legends of the sport, and then there are legends of humanity. Mutombo was both."