Dikembe Mutombo, NBA Legend With a Heart of Gold, Dies at 58 from Brain Cancer

Dikembe Mutombo/Shutterstock

Former NBA legend and global humanitarian Dikembe Mutombo has reportedly died from brain cancer. He was 58 years old.

The basketball sensation hails from Congo and is regarded as one of the best all-time defensive players and shot blockers in the NBA. The 7'2" guard reportedly died at home in Atlanta, surrounded by his family.

"Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said. He continued, "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 NBA commissioner stated, "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."

Mutombo was also an eight-time NBA All-Star and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. The former Georgetown basketball player was the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year four times.

With a heart as big as his height, Mutombo was a hero to his homeland of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He stayed connected to the DRC, therefore forming the Dikembe Mutombo (We Are Family Foundation) to improve the overall health, education, and quality of life for the people in the DRC.

The former NBA center was active with NBA Cares and the Special Olympics. [He was the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), served on the Advisory Board for the Fogarty International Center at the National Institutes of Health, and served on the boards for the National Constitution Center and Opportunity International. Mr. Mutombo has also served as an advisor and consultant to Freeport McMoRan and Hewlett-Packard, according to the Special Olympics.

The former shot-blocking NBA star's foundation built the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and the Samuel Mutombo Primary School, named after his father in the DRC. Mutombo is survived by his wife, Rose, and their three children, as well as their four adopted children of his wife's deceased brothers.

Mutombo's son, Ryan, paid tribute to his father on social media, saying his dad "loved others with every ounce of his being … My dad is my hero because he simply cared. He remains the purest heart I have ever known."

Rest in Peace.

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