NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo dies at the age of 58

Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has died at age 58 after a battle with brain cancer.

Mutombo's career spanned from 1991 to 2009 and included eight All-Star appearances and four Defensive Player of the Year awards.

“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. Even off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”

A native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo played college basketball at Georgetown and was selected fourth overall by the Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft.

He later played for the Hawks, Sixers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets.

One of the iconic moments of his NBA career came in 1994, when the No. 8 seed Nuggets defeated the No. 8 seed Supersonics of the Western Conference in a first-round playoff series and Mutombo celebrated on the floor while clutching the basketball .

He led the league in blocks per game three times – he often celebrated his blocks by wagging his finger to say “No, uh” – and rebounds per game twice.

After his playing career, he became an ambassador for the NBA and spread his love of the game worldwide.

“No one was more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first global ambassador. At his core, he was a humanitarian. “He loved the positive impact the game of basketball could have on communities, particularly in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and throughout the African continent,” Silver’s statement continued.

“I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion empowered people. Over the years, he was always available at NBA events with his infectious smile, deep, booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared 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 greatly. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to Dikembe's wife, Rose, and their children. his many friends; and the global basketball community that he truly loved and that loved him back.”

In addition to his wife Rose, Mutombo leaves behind three children and four adopted children of Rose's brothers after their deaths.

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