NBA Hall of Famer dead at 58 due to brain cancer

Dikembe Mutombo died at the age of 58 due to brain cancer.

The news was first reported by The Athletic's Shams Charania.

"Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement released on social media. "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."

Mutombo - a19-year NBA veteran and a Hall of Famer - played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets from 1991-2009.

An eight-time All-Star, Mutombo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, was one of the most feared big men in the NBA. His ability to block shots was only heightened by his playful wag of his right index finger, a gesture that became his signature.

"There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA's first Global Ambassador," Silver added. "He was a humanitarian at his core. 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."

Mutombo was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the year in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001.

"Dikembe's indomitable spirit continues on in those who he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life," Silver said. "I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe's big heart, and I will miss him dearly."

Mutombo spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo. His foundation led the building of a 170-bed hospital in Kinshasa, the capital city, and that facility has treated nearly a half-million people regardless of their ability to pay for care.

He also had served on the boards of many organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.