Congolese-born Dikembe Mutombo is revered as one of the best defensive player in NBA history
Dikembe Mutombo, the legendary basket player, has died from brain cancer at the age of 58.
Mutombo’s death was announced by the NBA in a tweet on X page on Monday.
“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,” the post that accompanied the tweet reads.
“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core.”
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Mutombo’s struggle with a brain tumour was first revealed to the public in October 2022 when he began treatment.
He was raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before moving to the US at the age of 21.
Mutombo grew to be seven feet and two inches tall and was selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft.
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He moved through the Atlanta Hawks, Philadephia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before ending his remarkable career in 2009.
He played as a centre and was known for his defensive qualities. Mutumbo led the NBA in blocked shots for five consecutive seasons and blocks per game for a record three straight seasons.
He made the NBA All-Star team eight times and was made the league’s first global ambassador shortly after his retirement.
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