Basketball Legend Dikembe Mutombo Passes Away from Brain Tumor

Basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo passed away on Monday after battling brain cancer, according to an announcement from the NBA. He was 58 years old.

Mutombo was renowned for his impressive shot-blocking skills, as well as his iconic finger-wagging gesture. He first gained recognition at Georgetown University before going on to play for six different NBA teams.

Aside from his athletic abilities, the 7-foot-2 center was also known for his philanthropic work in Central Africa. He was raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which was then known as Zaire.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver paid tribute to Mutombo, saying, "Dikembe Mutombo was a larger-than-life figure. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the court, he dedicated himself to helping others."

Silver also highlighted Mutombo's role as the NBA's first Global Ambassador and his passion for using basketball to make a positive impact in communities, particularly in Africa. The commissioner had the privilege of traveling with Mutombo and witnessing his generosity and compassion firsthand.

Mutombo retired in 2009 with a total of 3,289 blocked shots, second only to Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

During his career, Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He averaged 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds in 1,196 games, starting in 997 of them, for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, then-New Jersey Nets, and New York Knicks.

Both the Nuggets and Hawks have retired Mutombo's jersey number, 55, in his honor.