Dikembe Mutombo, the Hall of Fame, finger-wagging middle who spent a lot of post-basketball profession as an envoy for the game, has died of brain cancer at the age of 58, the NBA introduced Monday.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver mentioned in an announcement. “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.
“There was no person extra certified than Dikembe to function the NBA's first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He cherished what the sport of basketball may do to make a constructive impression on communities, particularly in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of touring the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted individuals. He was all the time accessible at NBA occasions through the years — with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball followers of each era.”
Mutombo, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022, played 18 NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before retiring after the 2008-09 season.
He was the league's top defensive player four times, earned three All-NBA selections and played in eight All-Star Games. He ranks 20th in rebounds (12,359) and finished with 3,289 career blocks, second to Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830).
He followed most blocks with a playful wag of his right index finger, a gesture that became his enduring signature and inspired many others after him.
“Any time I might block pictures, individuals would nonetheless be coming and attempting to place a bit of bit on me. Then I used to shake my head each time I might block the shot,” Mutombo once explained. “Then I mentioned, man f— this. Those guys should not listening to me. Maybe if I begin giving them the finger wag. And I inform you what, I misplaced some huge cash due to that finger wag, man. I bought so many technical fouls, however no referee would kick me out of the sport.”
Following his playing career, he worked extensively for charitable and humanitarian causes. He served as an ambassador for the sport, particularly in the development of the Basketball Africa League, which completed its second season in 2022.
Mutombo spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo. His foundation led the building of a 170-bed hospital in Kinshasa, the capital city, and that facility has treated nearly a half-million people regardless of their ability to pay for care.
He also had served on the boards of many organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
“Dikembe's indomitable spirit continues on in those that he helped and impressed all through his extraordinary life,” Silver said in his statement. “I'm one of many many individuals whose lives had been touched by Dikembe's huge coronary heart and I'll miss him dearly. On behalf of your entire NBA household, I ship my deepest condolences to Dikembe's spouse, (*58*), and their kids; his many associates; and the worldwide basketball group which he actually cherished and which cherished him again.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
