'Just a great human being': Joel Embiid, Adam Silver, Pau Gasol and others react to the death of Dikembe Mutombo

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 Famer and humanitarians, honoring his legacy on and off the court.

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

“Dikembe Mutombo was larger than life on the court, one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off 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 great heart, and I will miss him greatly.”

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 my father was a superhuman. This child in me would sigh to hear that this was never actually the case,” Ryan Mutombo wrote in the post. “My father was a normal man who stopped 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 accessible. That’s what made him real.”

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

Since news of Mutombo's death came on the same day as NBA Media Day, many NBA players commented on Mutombo's legacy during their press conferences.

Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid spoke about Mutombo's impact on and off the court. Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, said the Congo-born player was a role model for him.

“It's a sad day, especially for us Africans and actually for the whole world, because apart from what he achieved on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court,” Embiid said of Vincent Goodwill of Yahoo Sports. “He's one of the guys I look up to when it comes to making a difference… He's done a lot of great things for a lot of people.”

76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey also spoke about Mutombo Monday morning, saying the NBA star became Morey's mentor while both were in Houston. The two overlapped from 2007, when Morey began his executive career as general manager, until Mutombo's retirement in 2009.

“There aren’t a lot of guys like him,” Morey said, via Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. “Just a great person.”

Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri also spoke about Mutombo during his press conference and was very emotional when discussing his friend's death.

“It's really hard to believe and we're having a hard time getting by without this guy,” Ujiri said, via Lindsay Dunn of CityNews Toronto. “He has no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me.”

NBA Hall of Famer Pau Gasol wrote about Mutombo on social media, talking about Mutombo's skills on the court and his kindness off the court.

“I was very sad when I heard about the death of Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe was not only great on the pitch, but also a force off the pitch, admired and loved by those who knew him. His smile, his values ​​and his commitment to basketball.” “And helping others too will never be forgotten,” Gasol wrote.

Cindy McCain, widow of Senator John McCain, spoke more about Mutombo's humanitarian efforts. With his Mutombo Foundation, the NBA star founded hospitals, improved infrastructure, supported the growth of basketball and much more in his native Congo.

“My dear friend Dikembe Mutombo died today of brain cancer. I knew him to be a real humanitarian. Here we are together in a refugee camp, trying to help those who couldn't help themselves. “I will love him and miss him terribly,” McCain said in a statement to X.

Serge Ibaka, a former NBA player currently playing in Europe, thanked Mutombo for his groundbreaking achievements 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 have paved the way for me and many Congolese and African youths with your legendary basketball career and charitable actions. You are an NBA legend and an African icon and that will inspire the many generations to come,” Ibaka wrote.