Dikembe Mutombo, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history, passed away on September 30. He was 58 and died from brain cancer, according to a statement the NBA posted on X.

“NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement.”

Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, was born on June 25, 1966, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire). Standing 7’2″ with an imposing 7′ 6″ wingspan, Mutombo’s dominant shot-blocking and rebounding skills made him a formidable presence on the court throughout his 18-year career.

Mutombo initially came to the United States to attend Georgetown University on an academic scholarship with plans to become a doctor. However, head coach John Thompson quickly noticed his athleticism and convinced him to join the basketball team. At Georgetown, Mutombo developed under Thompson’s guidance, becoming a defensive powerhouse alongside fellow Hoya and future Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning. Mutombo graduated in 1991 and declared for the NBA Draft, where he was selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets.

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In the NBA, Mutombo quickly made his mark as a dominant defender. During his rookie season, he averaged 16.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks per game, earning him a spot on the All-Star team. Throughout his career, Mutombo would go on to be an eight-time NBA All-Star and win the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times, tying for the most in league history. He is most famous for his signature finger wag after blocking shots, a playful yet intimidating gesture that became his trademark.

Perhaps one of Mutombo’s most iconic moments came during the 1994 NBA Playoffs when his eighth-seeded Nuggets upset the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in a five-game series. In the final moments, Mutombo famously grabbed the final rebound while lying on the court, clutching the ball in victory.

Off the court, Mutombo is just as known for his humanitarian work. He has been involved in numerous philanthropic efforts, especially in his native Congo. In 2007, he founded the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital in Kinshasa, named after his late mother, to provide quality healthcare to those in need. Mutombo’s charity work has earned him global recognition, including the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

Mutombo retired from professional basketball in 2009 and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

Rest In Peace.

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