Former Congolese Basketball player Dikembe Mutombo, who played twenty seasons in the NBA, died at the age of 58 from brain cancer, the North American Basketball League announced on Monday.
A very tall pivot (2.18 m), he was an eight-time All-Star in the 1990s and 2000s, being especially recognized for his defensive qualities. He was voted defender of the year four times, also finishing best blocker three times and best rebounder twice.
He became known for his characteristic finger gesture when blocking a shot, a gesture that the NBA ultimately banned after ruling that it was a form of taunt. Born in Kinshasa and arrived in the United States at 21, Mutombo played in two finals, in 2001 with the Philadelphia Sixers against the Lakers and in 2003 with the New Jersey Nets against San Antonio, but never won the title.
“Mount Mutombo”
“Mount Mutombo” wore the jersey of eight NBA franchises during a journey that began in 1991 in Denver and ended in Houston in 2009 at the age of 43. “It’s a sad day, for the whole world and even more so for us Africans”said center Joel Embiid, Philadelphia star and MVP in 2023. “He was one of my role models, for his impact on and off the field. He accomplished a lot of good things, for a lot of people.”
Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best shot blockers and defensive players of all time. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/1840874578555646058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
“A wonderful man”
Daryl Morey, manager of the 76ers, announced visibly moved the death of Mutombo in the middle of a pre-season press conference, he who had worked with the former player in Houston. “I knew him personally (…) obviously there was his success on the ground, no need to elaborate, but above all he was a wonderful man, particularly for his work in Africa.”
I’m so heartbroken to hear about the passing of my dear friend and basketball Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo. He was not only a great basketball player who could protect the rim as an elite shot-blocker, but also an incredible man with a pure heart of gold. He dedicated much of… pic.twitter.com/2XKgju5Nii
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) https://twitter.com/MagicJohnson/status/1840834119766589808?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Involved in Africa
Off the court, Mutombo has been tirelessly involved in improving living conditions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, his country of origin, through his personal foundation. These efforts, which included donating millions of dollars to help build a hospital in the suburbs of Kinshasa, earned him numerous humanitarian awards, including the President of the United States Volunteer Service Award.
“Help others”
“Dikembe Mutombo, on the court, was one of the greatest defenders and blockers in NBA history. Off the court, he devoted his heart and soul to helping others,” paid tribute to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in a press release, highlighting his humanitarian work.
