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NBA Star Dikembe Mutombo Dies of Brain Cancer
The Hall of Famer has died from brain cancer at the age of 58, the NBA has announced.
Dikembe Mutombo died on Sept. 30 from brain cancer.
Credit: Quinn Harris via Getty Images
Basketball star Dikembe Mutombo, an NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer died on Sept. 30 at the age of 58 from brain cancer, according to an announcement from the league.
Mutombo’s family announced two years ago that he had been undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor, the Associated Press reported.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement posted by the NBA to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “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.”
Mutombo played in the NBA for 18 seasons, taking the court for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets, in the process becoming an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection and 2015 Hall of Famer, averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for his career, according to the Associated Press.
Mutombo, whose last season was from 2008-2009, founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, according to the Associated Press, which noted that he also served on the boards of organizations including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. He was also the NBA’s first Global Ambassador.
“No matter what you know about him as a basketball player, he was an even better human being. ... One of the most beautiful, beautiful human beings I've ever known," remarked Stephen A. Smith on ESPN’s “First Take.”
Tilman Feritta, owner of the Houston Rockets — where Mutombo played for five seasons — said in a statement posted to the team’s X account: “On behalf of the Rockets organization, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Dikembe Mutombo, a true legend both on and off the court. Dikembe was beloved by the entire NBA community and his tireless humanitarian efforts left an indelible mark on our league. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Rose, and their children.”
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