A former famous former NBA player from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dikembe Mutombo, has died.
Mutombo, the founder of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, died of brain cancer on Monday, 30 September 2024 at the age of 58.
He was been actively involved in humanitarian efforts through his Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which focuses on healthcare and education in Africa.
A statement by the National Basketball Association, confirmed that the basketball star “died surrounded by his family”.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.”
The 7-foot-2 Mutombo played 18 NBA seasons for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, then-New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets before retiring after the 2008-09 season.
He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds for his career. His No. 55 jersey is retired by both the Nuggets and the Hawks.
