Officials announced on Monday that beloved, finger-wagging Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo, who was also a beloved humanitarian and one of basketball’s most feared shot blockers, passed away from brain cancer.
The NBA’s first “global ambassador,” Mutombo, was fifty-eight years old. In a statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said: “I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly,”
NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/fkFPaiMVD3
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 30, 2024
Obama pens a heartfelt note for Dikembe Mutombo
According to former President Barack Obama, Mutombo’s impact will endure indefinitely as more players utilize their fame and wealth to better the lives of others. Obama said : “Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player — one of the best shot blockers and defensive players of all time,”. “But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their impact off the court. Michelle and I are thinking of Dikembe’s family and everyone who knew and loved him.”
Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best shot blockers and defensive players of all time. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 30, 2024
Throughout his lengthy career, Mutombo rejected 3,289 shots—the second-highest number in NBA history. An threatening finger wag indicated to opponents that it would be wise to avoid shooting the basketball within reach of the 7-foot-2 star after several of those blocked shots.
