Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo died Monday from brain cancer, the NBA announced. He was 58.
Mutombo, who was drafted out of Georgetown by the Nuggets with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft, became a beloved figure in the Mile High City during his five-year run in Denver. The 7-foot-2 center was the defensive stalwart for the young upstart Denver team. During the 1994 playoffs, he helped the No. 8-seeded Nuggets upset the No. 1 SuperSonics in Game 5 of the first round — the image of him gripping the basketball with both hands on the floor in Seattle has become one of Denver’s sports’ most iconic images.
He was just as strong a presence off the court. Among his long list of accomplishments, he was a global ambassador for the NBA and a humanitarian who built hospitals and schools in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
Here’s a look at what the world of sports had to say about Mutombo:
pic.twitter.com/oEQJER9QZX
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) September 30, 2024
Dikembe’s off-court accomplishments were probably more impressive than what he accomplished on the floor.
A legend in every sense of the word. And he loved, loved Denver. pic.twitter.com/53AQ4dA0RD
— Mike Singer (@msinger) September 30, 2024
Prayers up for the Family, Friends and Loved Ones of Dikembe Mutombo. The Hall of Fame Center passed away today at 58 years old due to brain cancer. His Iconic Finger Wag “No No No” is still used to this day. He will never be forgotten. pic.twitter.com/bhm5AFoHcu
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 30, 2024
We are deeply saddened by the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s passing.
Dikembe was a proud and honorable man, who lived up to the definition of a word that became synonymous with his name – humanitarian. He used his many gifts and his platform to improve the lives of everyone he… pic.twitter.com/zsLS4AihJ4
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 30, 2024
Today we mourn the loss of @nuggets legend and Hall of Fame Center, Dikembe Mutombo, will be remembered for his dominance on the court and generosity in the community.
Mutombo was first to have his number retired at the Pepsi Center and his iconic finger wag “No No No” is still… pic.twitter.com/MhzcpmvlL5
— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) September 30, 2024
I had the pleasure of spending time with Dikembe Mutombo on a show on The Denver Post’s website. It was one of my favorite days.
This man literally built a hospital for people in his home land.
He was a larger-than-life center … and a larger-than-life human and humanitarian.
RIP pic.twitter.com/ru9CWnMAHX
— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) September 30, 2024
Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at 58 years old due to brain cancer. pic.twitter.com/taDWSFeCQE
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) September 30, 2024
Today we mourn the loss of a true ambassador of our game, Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe spent 18 seasons in the NBA, including his final …read more
Source:: The Denver Post – Sports
