Dikembe Mutombo, the famous NBA guard, and NBA’s global ambassador died at the age of 58. In a heartfelt homage, his son, the rising basketball star Ryan Mutombo, referred to his late father as a “hero.” Following the news of his passing, the NBA community is mourning the loss of a legend and honoring his contributions to the game.
The 7’2″ basketball player was one of the most fearsome characters in the League. Sadly, despite his strength on the court, he was unable to overcome his health issues. His family learned about his brain tumor and treatment in Atlanta two years ago.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. 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 was renowned for his shot-blocking ability, ranking second in NBA history with 3,289 career blocks. He also played a pivotal role in the Denver Nuggets’ historic upset of the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1994 playoffs.
Besides, he was widely respected for his charity work, especially in Africa. He built hospitals and supported education programs, leaving a lasting impact on many communities.
NBA mourns the loss of Dikembe Mutombo
Since his death was announced, many NBA teams, players, and celebrities have paid respect to Dikembe Mutombo. His impact reached beyond sports and even caught the attention of political leaders, prompting Barack Obama to share his thoughts on Twitter.
Barack Obama noted, “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… Michelle and I are thinking of Dikembe’s family and everyone who knew and loved him.”
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid said, “He’s one of the guys that I look up to, as far as having an impact, not just on the court, but off the court. He’s done a lot of great things. He did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine. It is a sad day.”
Besides, many fans on Twitter, like @William28151332, voiced their concerns by stating, “This is another vax death !! Way too many cancer deaths in the past 2 year’s..Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo dies at 58 of brain cancer.”
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