Basketball Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, probably the greatest defensive gamers in NBA historical past and a longtime international ambassador for the sport, died Monday after a battle with mind most cancers, the league introduced
Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Corridor of Famer who was probably the greatest defensive gamers in NBA historical past and a longtime international ambassador for the sport, died Monday after a battle with mind most cancers, the league introduced. He was 58.
His household revealed two years in the past that he was present process remedy in Atlanta for a mind tumor. The NBA stated he died surrounded by his household.
“Dikembe Mutombo was merely bigger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated. “On the courtroom, he was one of many biggest shot blockers and defensive gamers within the historical past of the NBA. Off the ground, he poured his coronary heart and soul into serving to others.”
Mutombo spent 18 seasons within the NBA, taking part in for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 heart out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, four-time defensive participant of the 12 months, three-time All-NBA choice and went into the Corridor of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 factors and 10.3 rebounds per recreation for his profession.
Mutombo final performed throughout the 2008-09 season, devoting his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes. He spoke 9 languages and based the Dikembe Mutombo Basis in 1997, concentrating on enhancing well being, schooling and high quality of life for the folks within the Congo.
Mutombo served on the boards of many organizations, together with Particular Olympics Worldwide, the CDC Basis and the Nationwide Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
“There was no person extra certified than Dikembe to function the NBA’s first World Ambassador,” Silver stated. “He was a humanitarian at his core. He beloved what the sport of basketball may do to make a optimistic impression on communities, particularly in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the continent of Africa.”
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