Dikembe Mutombo, one of the most widely known NBA players known worldwide passed away in his fight with cancer. Mutombo, just 58 years old, was an NBA Global Ambassador, member of the Hall of Fame, and a global humanitarian. Dikembe Mutombo’s death has sent a shockwave through the sports world.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has released a statement through X:
“Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others,” Silver continued in his statement. “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. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years — with his infectious smile, deep, booming voice, and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dick’s wife, rose, and their children; his many friends; and the global basketball community, which he truly loved and which loved him back.”
Dikembe met his wife Rose in the 1990s in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who would go on to have three children together and even adopted four additional kids.
The news of Dikembe Mutombo’s death comes nearly two years after undergoing surgery for a brian tumor. He began his treatments in Atlanta in October 2022, and was reportedly in great spirits at the time.
Dikembe still holds the second-most-all-time number of blocks in league history, which lead to his iconic finger wag. Mutombo was drafted as the fourth overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in 1991. He would go on to have an 18 year career playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
Many iconic NBA players has provided their support on X for Dikembe Mutombo’s death, like Pau Gasol:
“Dear Dikembe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”
