Mutombo was selected by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 draft. He remained in Denver until 1996 before joining Atlanta. He then played in Philadelphia (2001-2002), New Jersey (2002-2003), New York (2003-2004) and Houston, where he finished his career in 2009 following a knee injury.
A tall pivot (2m18), Mutombo played in two finals, in 2001 with the Sixers and in 2003 with the Nets, losing respectively to the Lakers and the San Antonio Spurs.
He was voted defender of the year four times, best blocker three times and best rebounder twice. He was also selected for the All Star Game eight times.
Very involved socially, Mutombo greatly contributed to financing the construction of a modern hospital in the eastern suburbs of Kinshasa in 2005.
Mutombo was at Brussels airport at the time of the attacks on March 22, 2016. “I heard people screaming and everyone started running,” he told CNN. “One woman said, ‘Everybody get out, we have to go, we have to go. A lot of people are bleeding downstairs, a lot of people are injured.’ I grabbed my bag and started running too.”
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA boss Adam Silver said in a statement. “On the court, he was one of the best blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the court, he worked hard to help others.”
