NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo He died after a battle with brain cancer. Monday afternoon. He was 58 years old.
Mutombo is one of the best defensive players in NBA history. Mutombo, known for his iconic finger wave after denying an opponent, ranks second all-time in blocked shots with 3,289. He was a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, a six-time All-Defense selection, a three-time All-NBA selection, and an eight-time NBA All-Star selection.
Mutombo came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo when he enrolled at Georgetown University. He played alongside Alonzo Mourning on the Hoyas, forming one of the greatest collegiate frontlines in the history of the sport. He was selected fourth overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Denver Nuggets. He spent the first five seasons of his career in Denver, where he survived the first upset in NBA playoff history against a No. 1 seed when the Nuggets shocked the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1994 playoffs, helping the team win the first-ever No. He helped win the seeding.
Mutombo lying on the floor screaming with the ball in his hands after Denver's decisive Game 5 victory is one of the most memorable NBA moments of the '90s.
Mutombo's number 55 will be retired by the Nuggets and Hawks. He achieved even greater accomplishments off the court.
Mutombo is one of the great humanitarians in the history of sport, lending his influence and funds to aid efforts in Africa, particularly Congo. He founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in Congo. He was awarded the United States Presidential Distinguished Service Award by Bill Clinton in 2000 and was recognized for his humanitarian work in George W. Bush's 2007 State of the Union address.
Mutombo's greatest legacy is the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital, which he fought to establish in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo. Mutombo spent 10 years raising money and donating his own money to open the area's first modern medical facility. It opened in 2007 and treated more than 1 million people in its first 15 years.
Celebrating 15 years of Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital. We would like to thank everyone who helped us on this journey. More than 1 million people have been treated at this hospital. Who can deny God's mission in your life? pic.twitter.com/chIKnVzaSj
— Dikembe Mutombo (@officialmutombo) July 17, 2022
Tributes to Mutombo will continue to pour in from all over the world. His influence will be felt for generations.
Here are some early comments from Joel Embiid, Masai Ujiri and others:
Dikembe has influenced hundreds of players with his abilities on the court, but his humanitarian efforts, time and love to improve the human conditions of his people have touched hundreds of thousands of people, generations of Congolese. It has influenced people. Strength is service to others, and there is no better example than this.
— Brent Barry (@Barryathree) September 30, 2024
I am very sad to hear about the passing of Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe was not only great on the court, he was also a force off the court and was admired and loved by those who came to know him. His smile, values, dedication to basketball and helping others will never go away… pic.twitter.com/KZaOSAXVGE
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) September 30, 2024
It's simple. Dikembe's mother died in wartime Congo, unable to reach the hospital in time because there were no ambulances. Moreover, she could have been arrested because of the climate. What was Dikembe's reaction to that tragedy? He built a hospital in his hometown.
— Myron Medcalf (@MedcalfByESPN) September 30, 2024
Here are some highlights of Mutombo's incredible playing career.
Rest in peace, Dikembe Mutombo. The world is a better place because of him.
