NBA Icon Dikembe Mutombo Lifeless At 58 From Mind Most cancers – The Boston Courier

Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Corridor of Famer who was probably the greatest defensive gamers in NBA historical past and a longtime world ambassador for the sport, died Monday after a battle with mind most cancers, the league introduced. He was 58.

His household revealed two years in the past that he was present process therapy in Atlanta for a mind tumor. The NBA stated he died surrounded by his household.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver stated.

“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 spent 18 seasons within the NBA, taking part in for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets.

The 7-foot-2 middle out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, four-time defensive participant of the yr, three-time All-NBA choice and went into the Corridor of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 factors and 10.3 rebounds per recreation for his profession.

Mutombo final performed in the course of the 2008-09 season, devoting his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes.

He spoke 9 languages and based the Dikembe Mutombo Basis in 1997, concentrating on bettering well being, training and high quality of life for the folks within the Congo.

Mutombo served on the boards of many organizations, together with Particular Olympics Worldwide, the CDC Basis and the Nationwide Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador,” Silver stated. “He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa.”

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