Dikembe Mutombo, Hall of Fame center and global ambassador for the NBAdied at the age of 58 from brain cancer, the link announced monday Mutombo, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, was one of the most accomplished international born players in NBA history His 3,289 blocks rank second all-time in NBA history, and he was known for his signature finger-snapping celebration.
Mutombo played for six teams in his illustrious career: the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. He had remarkable longevity, playing through his age-42 season in Houston in 2008-09 before eventually retiring and becoming an ambassador for the NBA in Africa. He was first reported to have a brain tumor in 2022.
His college career didn’t begin until age 21, but he quickly grew into a star at Georgetown playing under John Thompson. After three seasons with the Hoyas, the Denver Nuggets chose him number 4 overall in 1991. NBA Draft. He grew into a defensive star with the Nuggets and later the Atlanta Hawks. Between 1995 and 2021, Mutombo won four Defensive Player of the Year awards. He made eight All-Star teams and three All-NBA teams during his career. Only Hakeem Olajuwon has blocked more shots in NBA history.
Mutombo will be remembered for his distinct on-court swagger and off-court mannerism as much as his effectiveness. His signature celebration after blocking a shot was the finger fight, shaking an index finger at the shooter who dared to challenge him.
He is the subject of one of the NBA’s most famous photos, which came at the end of Denver’s legendary upset over the Seattle Supersonics in 1994. Those Nuggets were the first #8 seed to ever knock off a #1, and the streak ended . with Mutombo pulling its final rebound and clutching the ball over his face as time expired with a huge smile on his face. Mutombo blocked an NBA record 31 shots in that series, controlling it defensively for all five games. “He got into our players’ heads at the start and never left,” Seattle coach George Karl said.
The league was similarly effusive in praising the legendary great on Monday.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot-blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.
“There was no one more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to have a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo. and across the continent of Africa I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion lifted people up. him to basketball fans of every generation.
“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of the entire NBA- family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife, Rose, and his many friends and the global basketball community that he truly loved and who loved him.”
Mutombo is among the most influential African-born players in the history of basketball. His impact on the game can be felt most heavily in the continent’s burgeoning basketball scene. More and more players are coming from Africa to the NBA, and a lot of that can be traced back to Mutombo.
“It is a sad day, especially for us Africans, and indeed the whole world,” 76ers star and Cameroon native Joel Embiid said of Mutombo on Monday at the team’s media day.. “In addition to what he accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court. He’s one of the guys that I look up to… He’s done a lot of great things for a lot of people. He’s been a role model of mine .”
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