Dikembe Mutombo dies aged 58 after battling brain cancer

Dikembe Mutombo, a Hall of Fame center and global ambassador for the NBA, has died of brain cancer at age 58, the league announced Monday. Mutombo, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was one of the most successful internationally-born players in NBA history. His 3,289 blocks rank second all-time in NBA history and he was known for his signature finger wag.

Mutombo played for six teams in his illustrious career: the Nuggets, Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. He had remarkable longevity, playing his age 42 season in Houston before eventually retiring and becoming the NBA’s ambassador to Africa. In 2022, he was first reported to have a brain tumor.

His college career didn’t begin until he was 21, but he quickly became a star at Georgetown, where he played under John Thompson. After three seasons with the Hoyas, the Denver Nuggets selected him No. 4 overall in the 1991 NBA Draft. He developed into a defensive starter with the Nuggets and eventually with the Atlanta Hawks. Between 1995 and 2021, Mutombo won four Defensive Player of the Year awards. Over the course of his career, he made eight All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams. Only Hakeem Olajuwon has blocked more shots in NBA history.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the field, he put his heart and soul into helping others.”

“No one was more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first global ambassador. He was fundamentally a humanitarian. He loved what the game of basketball could do to have a positive impact on communities, especially in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the United States.” I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand his generosity and his compassion have encouraged people over the years – with his infectious smile, his deep, booming voice and his signature finger wag endeared him to basketball fans of all generations.

“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart, and I will miss him greatly. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife Rose and his many friends and the global basketball community that he truly loved and who loved him back.

Mutombo is one of the most influential African-born players in basketball history. His influence on the game is felt most clearly in the continent’s emerging basketball scene. More and more players are coming to the NBA from Africa, and a lot of that can be attributed to Mutombo.