‘Just a great human being’: Joel Embiid, Adam Silver, Pau Gasol and more react to death of Dikembe Mutombo |Max Sporty|

On Monday, the NBA world lost a giant, with the death of Dikembe Mutombo at the age of 58. Throughout the day, members of the basketball world paid tribute to the Hall of Fame and humanitarian, honoring his on- and off-court legacy.

The NBA announced the news on Monday morning with a statement by commissioner Adam Silver, who wrote about his personal relationship with Mutombo, who became a global ambassador for the NBA.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life on the court, he was one of the greatest shot-blockers and defensive players in NBA history. From the floor he poured his heart and soul into helping others,” Silver wrote in the statement. . “I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by a big heart, and I will miss him dearly.”

Mutombo’s son, Ryan, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling his father his hero and “the purest heart I’ve ever known.”

“Sometimes, I thought of my dad as a superman. This kid in me would sigh to hear that was never actually the case,” Ryan Mutombo wrote in the post. “My dad was a regular man who would stop at nothing to honor the world, its people and its creator. He loved others with every ounce of his being. That’s what made him so approachable. That’s what made him real.”

The Houston Rockets, where Mutombo finished his 19-year career, paid tribute to the late NBA great on social media. In a statementRockets owner Tilman Fertitta wrote that, “Dikembe was beloved by the entire NBA community and his tireless humanitarian efforts left an indelible mark on our league.”

With news of Mutombo’s passing coming on the same day as NBA media day, many NBA players weighed in on Mutombo’s legacy during their press conferences.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid spoke about Mutombo’s impact both on and off the court. Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, said the Congolese-born player was his role model.

“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world because in addition to what he accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court,” Embiid said via Yahoo Sports. Vincent Goodwill. “He’s one of the guys that I look up to in terms of having an impact … He’s done a lot of great things for a lot of people.”

76ers President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey also spoke about Mutombo on Monday morning, saying the NBA great became Morey’s mentor when they were both in Houston. The two overlapped from 2007, when Morey began his management career as managing director, until Mutombo’s retirement in 2009.

“There’s not a lot of guys like him,” Morey said, via The Athletic Mike Vorkunov. “Just a big man.”

The president of Toronto Raptors, Masai Ujiri, spoke about Mutombo during his press conference as well, and was very emotional when talking about the passing of his friend.

“It’s really hard to believe, and it’s hard for us to be without that guy,” Ujiri said, via Lindsay Dunn from CityNews Toronto. “He has no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me.”

NBA Hall of Famer Pau Gasol wrote about Mutombo on social mediaspeaking of Mutombo’s prowess on the court, and his kindness from it.

“I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe was not only great on the court, but a force for good off it, admired and loved by those who knew him. His smile, his values ​​and his dedication to basketball. , as well as helping others, will never be forgotten,” Gasol wrote.

Serge Ibaka, a former NBA player who currently plays in Europe, thanked Mutombo for his pioneering efforts as an African player in the league. Ibaka, who was born in the Republic of Congo, played in the NBA for almost 15 years.

“You paved the way for me and many Congolese and African youth with your legendary basketball career and charitable deeds. You are an NBA legend and an African icon and that will inspire many generations to come,” Ibaka wrote.