At The Age of 58 Years Old, Dikembe Mutombo from Basketball History Has Passed Away

At 58 years old Dikembe Mutombo's life ended after battling brain cancer leaving a mark in both basketball and society.

Basketball enthusiasts and basketball icons are in mourning today after basketball authority released information that former NBA player, Dikembe Mutombo had died from brain cancer. 8 time NBA All-Star player, four times NBA’s Defensive player of the year, 7ft 2inches Congolese and American Dikembe Mutombo. Former NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated he was a giant on the basketball ground and off it and a pillar of the local neighborhood.

“Dikembe Mutombo was not only one of the most shot-blocking players in NBA history but also a man who devoted his life to improving the lives of people in his country today – his incredible smile and finger-wag gave joy to generations of fans,” Silver said.

Dikembe Mutombo initially finished 18 seasons in NBA playing for six distinctive teams including the Philadelphia 76ers and Denver Nuggets with whom he signed by way of the first round in 1991. He was getting an average of 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds and had made two NBA finals appearances.

Since retiring from the NBA in 2009, Mutombo took on the role of the league’s first global ambassador, traveling the world and playing a vital role in spreading basketball specifically in his home country of Congo and across Africa, as well as philanthropy for medical causes.

The recent death of Mutombo has been received with diverse but warming messages from fans, players, and teams. NBA legend and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson posted his sorrow on Twitter remembering Dikembe Mutombo as not only one of the best players in the basketball but also a man with a “pure heart of gold.”

It comes as no surprise that the basketball community will remember his career, as well as his politeness and devotion to contributing to society for several generations.