By Abiola Olawale
The Congolese-American Basketball legend and Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo, on Monday, passed away at the age of 58 years, eliciting massive tributes from eminent global icons.
Mutombo’s demise was announced in a statement issued by the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Mutombo, an eight-time NBA all-star, who is also renowned as one of the best defensive players in the history of basketball, passed away surrounded by his family after a battle with brain cancer.
Reacting, NBA Commissioner Adam Siler described the passing of Mutombo as heartbreaking.
He said: “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life.
“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.”
Similarly, former United States President, Barrack Obama said: “Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best-shot blockers and defensive players of all time. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their impact off the court. Michelle and I are thinking of Dikembe’s family and everyone who knew and loved him.
In his reaction, Masai Ujiri, the Vice Chairman and Team President of a US basketball team, the Raptors, described Mutombo as a selfless athlete.
He said: “He set a path for us and I don’t know many people who (could) do it,” Ujiri said. “I’m proud that I knew Dikembe Mutombo. I’m proud that I worked with him. I’m proud that he mentored me. I’m proud that I did a lot of work with him and that we travelled around the continent of Africa. This one hits home. Don’t mean to dampen the day, but this one hits home.
“That guy was the biggest giant you could ever find, with the biggest heart.”
The New Diplomat reports that Mutombo was born in Kinshasa, DR Congo, on June 25, 1966.
Standing 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall, DR Congo-born centre Mutombo was discovered while studying at Georgetown University located in Washington, U.S. and was selected by the Nuggets with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.
The eight-time NBA All-Star spent 18 years playing in the league for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.
His warm personality and trademark finger-wagging celebration made him a fan favourite.
Mutombo rejected 3,289 shots, the second most in NBA history, during his long career that included stops in Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey, New York and Houston.
He twice reached the NBA Finals, first for the 76ers in 2001 and then the Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) two years later.
Mutombo devoted his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes. He spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo.
Mutombo served on the boards of many organisations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the US Fund for UNICEF.
