Congo-born NBA legend, Dikembe Mutombo, has died from brain cancer at the age of 58.
The NBA Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA All-Star, who retired in 2009, lost the battle to a brain tumour he had been battling since he was diagnosed in 2022 on Monday, according to NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver.
The Congolese-American spent 18 years playing in the NBA for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.
Nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” due to his towering height and defensive prowess, he was regarded as one of the greatest shot-blockers and defensive players of all time.
Outside of basketball, Mutombo
was also known for his humanitarian work.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” said Silver.
“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.
“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,” Silver added
Standing at 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall, Mutombo was discovered while studying at Georgetown University and was selected by the Nuggets with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.
He twice reached the NBA Finals, first for the 76ers in 2001 and then the Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) two years later and led the NBA in blocked shots for five consecutive seasons and blocks per game for a record three consecutive seasons.
Following his retirement both the Hawks and Nuggets retired his number 55 shirt, and in 2015 he was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
Mutombo was a global ambassador for the NBA and carried out humanitarian work in his home country.