Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has died of brain cancer at age 58, the NBA announced Monday.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA 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 He was always approachable at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger shake that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.”
