NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo dies aged 58 following battle with brain cancer

Former NBA star Dikembe Mutombo has died at the age of 58 after being diagnosed with brain cancer.

The Congolese-American basketball legend played for 18 seasons in the NBA and is widely regarded as one of the finest shot-blockers and defensive players of all time.

Selected fourth by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 Draft, Mutombo subsequently played for the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets, the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets across his illustrious career at the top.

Mutombo retired from the sport in 2009 and would become renowned for his work in the humanitarian field, particularly with the Special Olympics.

In his birthplace of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, focused on improving the quality of life and health of citizens across the country.

‘Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,’ NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement this afternoon.

‘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.

‘There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. 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. 

‘I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.’

More to follow.