Dikembe Mutombo, a towering NBA Hall of Famer who was renowned for his defensive dominance and finger-wagging celebrations, has died. It’s sad news for all basketball community world wide.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) has announced the passing of one of its Legends. Mutombo died at the age of 58, after a protracted battle with brain cancer.
Speaking of his death in a statement on Monday, NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, said “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life.
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,” he said.
Mutombo was a Congolese-American former professional basketball player. He played 18 sessions in the NBA.
He was nicknamed “Mount Mutombo” for his defensive prowess and was commonly regarded as one of the best NBA’s shot-blockers and defensive players of all time. Outside of basketball, he was popular for his humanitarian gestures towards all who needed help
Mutombo was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo before moving to the United States and playing college basketball at Georgetown University.
He was drafted by the Denver Nuggets as the fourth pick in the 1991 draft, the seven-foot, two-inch center played with six NBA teams throughout his 18-year career and was an eight-time NBA All-Star. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
