(TheLastPatriotNews.com) – The basketball world mourns as NBA Hall-of-Famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at 58 due to brain cancer.
Dikembe Mutombo, the 7 feet 2 inches NBA giant, passed away in Atlanta after a battle with brain cancer.
Known for his fierce shot-blocking and iconic finger wag, Mutombo was a force to be reckoned with on the court.
His career spanned 18 years, featuring stints with the Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
Mutombo’s journey began far from the basketball courts of America. Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he came to the U.S. as an international student with aspirations of becoming a doctor.
Mutombo enrolled at Georgetown University in 1987 on an academic scholarship, intending to pursue pre-med but switching to linguistics and diplomacy.
Encouraged by his family, Mutombo shifted his focus to basketball during his mid-adolescence.
Despite starting late, his physical attributes and agility quickly made him a standout player.
The Denver Nuggets recognized his potential, selecting him fourth overall in the 1991 NBA draft.
Over his career, Mutombo earned eight All-Star selections, four Defensive Player of the Year awards, and three All-NBA selections.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.
“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,” Silver added, cited by Houston Public Media.
Mutombo averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game over his career, ending with the second-most blocked shots in NBA history, trailing only Hakeem Olajuwon.
His journey was marked by highlights such as leading the Denver Nuggets to a playoff upset over the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1993-94 season and helping the Philadelphia 76ers reach the NBA Finals in the 2000-01 season.
“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador,” Silver said.
“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,” the NBA Commissioner said.
Outside basketball, Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts were equally impactful. He founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, focusing on improving health, education, and quality of life in the Congo.
His work extended to several organizations, including Special Olympics International and the CDC Foundation.
As the NBA’s first Global Ambassador, he emphasized the positive impact of basketball on communities worldwide.
Mutombo’s legacy extends beyond his statistics and awards. His passion for helping others and dedication to humanitarian causes made him a beloved figure.
He left a profound impact on the basketball community and beyond, remembered not only for his skills but also for his big heart, The New York Times said in a report.
The tributes pouring in from various NBA teams and figures highlight his influence and the loss felt by many.
The NBA community also expressed their condolences, acknowledging not just the loss of a great player but a remarkable human being.
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