Former Congolese basketball player Dikembe Mutombo, who played nineteen seasons in the NBA, died at the age of 58 from cancer, the North American Basketball League announced on Monday, September 30 in a press release broadcast on X.
A very tall pivot – 2.18 meters – he was an eight-time All-Star (an annual match between the best players from the East and West conferences of the NBA) in the 1990s and 2000s, especially for his defensive qualities. He was voted defender of the year four times, best blocker three times and best rebounder twice.
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques wa Mutombo – his full name – played in two NBA finals, in 2001 with the Philadelphia Sixers against the Lakers and in 2003 with the New Jersey Nets against the San Antonio Spurs, but did not never won the title.
“Mount Mutombo” wore the jersey of several NBA franchises (Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, etc.) during a journey that began in 1991 and ended in 2009 at the age 43 years old.
Dikembe Mutombo’s son, Ryan, paid tribute on Instagram (his account is private) to a “hero” Who “simply cared about others”. “He loved others with all his being. That’s what made it so accessible. That’s what made it real.”he added. Dikembe Mutombo was recognized for his numerous charitable involvements. In particular, in 2015, he financed the construction of a hospital near Kinshasa.
