Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Hall of Famer and Philanthropist, Passes Away at 58

Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo, whose impressive stature and talent left a lasting impact on the sport both on and off the court, has passed away at the age of 58 due to brain cancer.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated on Monday. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot-blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the floor, he dedicated himself to helping others.”

Standing at 7 feet 2 inches, Mutombo ranks second on the NBA's all-time blocked shots list. Over his 18-season career from 1991 to 2009, he was an eight-time All-Star and a four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015, and his jersey numbers were retired by two of his former teams, the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets. He also played for the Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and the New Jersey Nets.

In addition to his basketball achievements, Mutombo was known for his humanitarian efforts, particularly with the Special Olympics and in his native Democratic Republic of Congo. His Dikembe Mutombo Foundation focused on improving health and quality of life in the region.

“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans ... and really for the whole world because, beyond his basketball accomplishments, I think he was even better off the court,” said Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid. “He did a lot of great things for many people and was a role model for me.”

Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey, who collaborated with Dikembe during their time at the Houston Rockets, was emotional as he reflected on his friend on Monday.

“There aren’t many guys like him,” Morey stated. “He was just a great human being. When I was a rookie GM in this league, my first opportunity in Houston, he was someone I relied on all the time. His accomplishments on the court are well-known, but it’s his incredible work off the court for Africa that truly stands out. Rest in peace, Dikembe.”

A naturalized U.S. citizen, Mutombo served on several boards, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation, and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. He was able to utilize the nine languages he spoke in his humanitarian efforts.

“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core,” said NBA Commissioner Adam Silver. “He understood the positive impact basketball could have on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Africa. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and witnessing how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always present at NBA events over the years, known for his infectious smile, deep booming voice, and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.”

Mutombo was famous for his playful finger wag, which he often displayed after blocking a shot.

“Whenever I blocked shots, people kept trying to score on me. I used to shake my head each time I made a block,” Mutombo explained. “Then I thought, maybe if I started giving them the finger wag, they’d get the message. I ended up losing a lot of money because of that finger wag; I got so many technical fouls, but no referee would ever kick me out of the game.”

Mutombo’s family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment for brain cancer. He is survived by three children with his wife, Rose, as well as four adopted children. His son Ryan, who stands at 7 feet 2 inches tall, currently plays college basketball at Georgia Tech after three seasons at Georgetown, his father’s alma mater. The NBA announced that Mutombo passed away surrounded by his family.

“My dad is my hero because he simply cared,” Ryan Mutombo shared on social media on Monday. “He had the purest heart I have ever known.”