Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo dies of brain cancer at age 58

Dikembe Mutombo, the finger-wagging Hall of Fame center who spent much of his post-basketball career as an ambassador for the sport, 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 field, he put his heart and soul into helping others.”

“No one was more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first global ambassador. He was fundamentally a humanitarian. He loved what the game of basketball could do to have a positive impact on communities, especially in his homeland, the Democratic Republic of the United States.” I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand his generosity and his compassion have encouraged people over the years – with his infectious smile and deep smile. His voice and signature finger wag endeared him to basketball fans of all generations.

Mutombo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, played 18 NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before retiring after the 2008-09 season went.

He was the league's best defensive player four times, was selected to the All-NBA three times and appeared in eight All-Star games. He ranks 20th in rebounds (12,359) and finished his career with 3,289 blocks, behind Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830).

He followed most blocks with a playful wag of his right index finger, a gesture that became his enduring trademark and inspired many others after him.

“Every time I blocked shots, people still came and tried to tackle me a little bit. Then I shook my head every time I blocked the shot,” Mutombo once explained. “Then I said, man, fuck it. These guys don't listen to me. Maybe if I start wagging my finger. And I'll tell you what, I lost a lot of money because of that finger-wagging, man. “I got so many technical fouls, but no referee threw me out of the game.

Following his playing career, he became heavily involved in charitable and humanitarian causes. He served as an ambassador for the sport, particularly in the development of the Basketball Africa League, which completed its second season in 2022.

Mutombo spoke nine languages ​​and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, which focuses on improving the health, education and quality of life of the people of Congo. His foundation led the construction of a 170-bed hospital in the capital Kinshasa, and that facility has treated nearly half a million people, regardless of whether they were able to pay for care.

He has also served on the boards of numerous organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the US Fund for UNICEF.

“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life,” Silver said in his statement. “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 send my deepest condolences to Dikembe's wife Rose and their children, as well as his many friends. and the global basketball community that he truly loved and that loved him back.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.