NBA Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo passed away Sept. 30 after a battle with brain cancer. Known for his shot-blocking and his notorious finger wave taunt, Mutombo — who was only 58 years old — has left behind a legacy that will live on forever.
At seven feet two inches tall, Mutombo enrolled in Georgetown University on an academic scholarship with hopes to become a doctor. Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo rose to fame when he joined the Georgetown basketball team in his sophomore year — he was convinced to do so by the legendary coach John Thompson. Mutombo went on to be the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft and played for six different teams in his 18 years in the league. He earned eight All-Star selections and had his jersey retired by both the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks. Mutombo was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame in 2015. In his career, Mutombo blocked over 3,289 shots, the second most in NBA history.
Mutombo is remembered for his play on the court but also his demeanor off of it. Mutombo founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, striving to improve education and quality of life in his native country. He was also a member of the International Board of Directors for the Special Olympics and was the NBA’s first Global Ambassador.
“My thing is about fighting the mortality rate so we can allow the people to live longer[…]. That has been my cause, my drive,” Mutombo said about his career.
Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner, issued a statement on the ‘Big Man’s’ passing.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others […].There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa [… ]. Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues on in those who he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life.”
Current NBA players similarly offered their condolences and remarked about the person beyond the court. Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was one of the individuals who spoke on Mutombo’s passing.
“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans and really the whole world, because, other than what he’s accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court[…]. He’s one of the guys that I look up to as far as having an impact, not just on the court but off the court. He’s done a lot of great things, he did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine, so like I said, it is a sad day,” Embiid said.
Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri also spoke about Mutombo as the news of his passing came during the Raptor’s media day.
“He set a path for us and I don’t know many people who [could] do it,” Ujiri said. “I’m proud that I knew Dikembe Mutombo. I’m proud that I worked with him. I’m proud that he mentored me. I’m proud that I did a lot of work with him, that we traveled around the continent of Africa. This one hits home. Don’t mean to dampen the day, but this one really hits home.”
The news even reached former President Barack Obama who made a statement on social media platform‘X.’
“Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player — one of the best-shot blockers and defensive players of all time[…]. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador changed the way athletes think about their impact off the court. Michelle and I are thinking of [Mutombo’s] family and everyone who knew and loved him,” Obama said.
Dikembe Mutombo was beloved by all in the basketball world and beyond, and he will be missed dearly by the NBA and the broader global community.
