Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo — one of the greatest defensive basketball players ever — has died after a battle with brain cancer. He was 58 years old.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver released a statement announcing Mutombo’s passing … saying, “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 an eight-time NBA All-Star … and won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times.
He played in the NBA from 1991-2009 for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.
In October 2022, he announced he was receiving treatment for a brain tumor … but was in “
great spirits” through it all.
RIP.
