While this Monday, September 30, 2024 is dedicated to the traditional pre-season Media Day, terrible news has just hit the NBA planet: Dikembe Mutombo has died at the age of 58.
It was insider Shams Charania who shared the news this afternoon. Mutombo suffered from brain cancer, which was diagnosed in October 2022.
Oh no ????????????????
Dikembe Mutombo died this Monday at the age of 58… pic.twitter.com/QpjNtJVyrB
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr)
It is obviously the sadness that dominates the world of the NBA today, as Dikembe was a respected player and above all a person greatly appreciated within the Great League.
During his NBA career, which lasted from 1991 (4th Draft pick) to 2009, Mutombo established himself as one of the best defenders of his time and even in history. The 2m18 pivot, born in Kinshasa, Congo, won the title of Best Defender four times (NBA record tied with Ben Wallace and Rudy Gobert), was named to one of the two All-Defensive Teams six times, without forgetting two titles for best rebounder and three titles for best blocker (he is second all-time blocker with 3,289 blocks!). Dikembe Mutombo was an All-Star eight times in his career and was selected to an All-NBA Team three times.
This magnificent record allowed him to have his jersey retired from the Nuggets and the Hawks, and to enter the Hall of Fame in 2015. Mutombo played almost 1,300 games in his career (regular season + Playoffs) for stats of 10 points, 10 rebounds and almost 3 blocks. Mount Mutombo has worn the colors of Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston. He participated in the NBA Finals twice, in 2001 (with the Sixers) and in 2003 (with the Nets).
It’s one of the most iconic gestures in basketball, and in modern sport.
Dikembe Mutombo’s “no no no” disappears today, with him, at the age of 58…
????☝️☝️☝️☝️☝️???? pic.twitter.com/DnCROmuKFB
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr)
Dikembe “Not in my House” Mutombo’s greatest career counters ????⭐️ pic.twitter.com/8NvI8Ygnkf
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr)
Dikembe Mutombo was an exceptional defender but an even better man.
The former pivot was in fact known and above all appreciated for all of his initiatives outside the court. The NBA notably rewarded him with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award twice for his involvement in the community. To his credit: the creation of his own foundation through which he notably helped to improve the living conditions of the Congolese population and allow them better access to care. Mutombo even allowed the opening of a hospital – the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital – in Kinshasa in 2007.
In addition to this, Mutombo has also participated in the development of African basketball through his involvement in programs such as Basketball Without Borders.
The first global ambassador of the NBA, Dikembe brought his good humor wherever he went, and particularly here in France during the NBA Paris Game.
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Heart in pieces. pic.twitter.com/5xSvr5RwpI
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr)
“No one was more qualified than Dikembe to become the NBA’s first global ambassador. He was a humanist at heart. He loved what basketball could do to positively impact communities, particularly in his native Democratic Republic of Congo and across the African continent. I had the privilege of traveling around the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion helped people. Over the years, he has always been approachable at NBA events, with his infectious smile, deep, powerful voice and signature finger wag that have endeared him to basketball fans. of all generations.”
– Adam Silver, NBA commissioner
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