Basketball Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo has died at the age of 58 following a battle with brain cancer.
Mutombo, who grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but moved to the United States at the age of 21, was selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 draft.
He went on to play for the Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets in a stellar career, before retiring in 2009.
The news was announced in a statement from the NBA, whose commissioner Adam Silver said: “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life.”
‘On the court, he was one of the best blockers and defensive players in NBA history. From the ground up, he dedicated his heart and soul to helping others.
Dikembe Mutombo is applauded by the public in Japan, on a trip as part of his role as the first Global Ambassador of the NBA
Mutombo played for six teams during an impressive NBA career and was an eight-time All-Star.
Mutombo hugs Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James at the end of a game in 2021
‘There was no one more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at heart.
‘He loved what basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the African continent.
‘I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always approachable at NBA events over the years, with his infectious smile, deep, booming voice and trademark finger movement that endeared him to basketball fans of all generations.
Mutombo was known for his blocks and became famous for his celebration of the opponent after denying him a scoring opportunity.
He signed a contract with Adidas in 1992 during his rookie contract and had a signature shoe that rivaled Nike and Michael Jordan.
In a commercial for his shoe, he attacked Jordan and told the camera, “Man doesn’t fly in the Mutombo house.” In 2013, the Adidas Mutombo was released as a retro shoe and quickly sold out.