NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo was such a larger-than-life presence that it is hard to believe that the basketball world had just lost another legend.
The four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year passed away after years battling from brain cancer on Monday, September 30 (PH time). He was 58 years old.
Mutombo led the league in blocks for three consecutive seasons from 1994 to 1996. He averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks across 1,196 games.
In 18 seasons, the Congo native played for several teams including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
After his retirement in 2009, Mutombo focused on philanthropy and humanitarian works to give back to his home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the entire Africa. He went on to be NBA’s first Global Ambassador.
With his passing, the basketball community is mourning the loss of one of the renowned shot-blockers and defenders in league history.
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James looked back on his fondest memory with Mutombo at the team’s media day session.
“My fondest memory of Dikembe Mutombo — he fractured my face. On my birthday in Cleveland with an elbow. I never even got an opportunity to, like, tell him about that,” the four-time NBA champion bared.
“I don’t remember how old I was, I was in Cleveland, my first stint... he was in Houston... And I went to the hole and caught one of those Dikembe elbows. And if anybody knows about the Dikembe elbow, they do not feel good. He fractured my face, and I went to the hospital that night, and I wore a mask for a little bit. Yeah, yeah. So that is my memory of Dikembe.”
“He fractured my face on my birthday in Cleveland.” 😅🤕
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) September 30, 2024
LeBron shared his favorite memory of Dikembe Mutombo. pic.twitter.com/sRG9G2v1cc
Former league MVP Joel Embiid spoke about Mutombo's impact both on and off the court, emphasizing that the Congo-born player was a role model especially to the African community.
"It's a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world because other than what is 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 in terms of having an impact ... He did a lot of great things for a lot of people."
We share our condolences with his wife, Rose, the entire Mutombo family, and their loved ones. RIP. pic.twitter.com/3j7M1ONqxJ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) September 30, 2024
Six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen also gave his condolences to Mutombo, whom he describes as a ‘man of purpose.’
I’m deeply saddened by the loss of my brother, Dikembe Mutombo. A true giant in every sense, Dikembe’s presence was felt far beyond the basketball court. His impact as one of the greatest defenders the game has ever seen was undeniable, but what truly set him apart was his heart,… pic.twitter.com/9N5Q8rDKaX
— Scottie Pippen (@ScottiePippen) October 1, 2024
“He was a man of purpose, whose legacy is built on the countless lives he touched, the communities he helped, and the powerful example he set. His smile, his spirit, and his love for humanity will never be forgotten.”
Two-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer Pau Gasol also shared what kind of character Mutombo has.
I was very sad to hear about Dikembe Mutombo's passing. Dikembe was not only great on the court, but a force for good off it, admired and loved by those who got to know him. His smile, his values and his dedication to basketball, as well as to helping others, will never be… pic.twitter.com/KZaOSAXVGE
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) September 30, 2024
“Dikembe was not only great on the court, but a force for good off it, admired and loved by those who got to know him. His smile, his values and his dedication to basketball, as well as to helping others, will never be forgotten.”
Ten-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony also paid tribute to the Hall of Fame big man as both players started their careers as members of the Denver Nuggets.
You gave everything you had to the game but more importantly to your people. Your legacy lives on. Rest in Power Dikembe🙏🏾 https://t.co/YOWDdMlrlh
— Carmelo Anthony (@carmeloanthony) September 30, 2024
“You gave everything you had to the game but more importantly to your people. Your legacy lives on.”
NBA commissioner Adam Silver described Mutombo as “simply larger than life,” while also praising the 58-year-olds’ humanitarian efforts of uplifting people most.
NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/uHgZgSBDUJ
"There aren't many guys like him. Just a great human being," Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said of the former Sixer.
"When I was a rookie GM in this league, my first chance in Houston, he was someone I went to all the time. Obviously his accomplishments on the court... but an amazing human being - what he did off the court, for Africa... Rest in peace, Dikembe."
Masai Ujiri of the Toronto Raptors returned to the press conference after learning of Mutombo's passing. He was not afraid to show his tears.An emotional Daryl Morey (@dmorey) reflects on Dikembe Mutombo's passing at @sixers media day:
— Lauren Rosen (@LaurenMRosen) September 30, 2024
"I knew him personally. We were together for many seasons, and he's obviously important to the Sixers franchise as well. There aren't many guys like him. Just a great human being.…
The Nuggets, Rockets, and Hawks also gave tributes to the eight-time All-Star.Raptors Vice-Chairman and Team President, Masai Ujiri, on the passing of NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo: pic.twitter.com/rQNTrGTFte
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) September 30, 2024
We are deeply saddened by the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s passing.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 30, 2024
Dikembe was a proud and honorable man, who lived up to the definition of a word that became synonymous with his name – humanitarian. He used his many gifts and his platform to improve the lives of everyone he… pic.twitter.com/zsLS4AihJ4
Today we mourn the loss of a true ambassador of our game, Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe spent 18 seasons in the NBA, including his final five as a Houston Rocket. His fun-loving personality and trademark finger-wagging endeared him to fans around the world, but Dikembe’s… pic.twitter.com/BfmKNGLGi3
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 30, 2024
While some people will remember Mutombo as a fierce competitor inside the hardcourt, he also had his moments off it that showed how much he was able to take himself lightly
Just watch this hilarious video of Dikembe reading some ‘mean tweets’ about him in some episodes of the Jimmy Kimmel Show.
