On Monday, the NBA world misplaced an enormous with the death of Dikembe Mutombo at age 58. All through the day, members of the basketball world paid homage to the Corridor of Famer and humanitarian, honoring his on- and off-court legacy.
The NBA introduced the information Monday morning with a statement from commissioner Adam Silver about his private relationship with Mutombo, who turned a worldwide ambassador for the NBA.
“Dikembe Mutombo was merely bigger than life on the courtroom, he was one of many best shot blockers and defensive gamers within the historical past of the NBA. Off the ground he poured his coronary heart and soul into serving to others,” Silver wrote within the assertion. “I’m one of many many individuals whose lives have been touched by Dikembe’s huge coronary heart, and I’ll miss him dearly.”
NBA International Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo handed away right this moment on the age of 58 from mind most cancers. He was surrounded by his household.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the next assertion. pic.twitter.com/uHgZgSBDUJ
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
Mutombo’s son, Ryan, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling his father his hero and “the purest coronary heart I’ve ever recognized.”
“At occasions, I considered my dad as a super-human. This little one in me would sigh to listen to that this was by no means really the case,” Ryan Mutombo wrote within the put up. “My dad was a daily man who would cease at no lengths to honor the world, its folks and its creator. He cherished others with each ounce of his being. That is what made him so accessible. That is what made him actual.”
Mutombo started his profession with the Denver Nuggets, who honored his passing on Monday with a statement on social media. The Nuggets retired Mutombo’s No. 55 jersey in 2016.
“Dikembe is among the most original and beloved gamers to each step foot on a basketball courtroom. The work and efforts he put in off the courtroom to provide again to his residence nation, Africa and the NBA cities that cherished him was simply as extradordinary,” the assertion learn. “Phrases can not categorical how a lot the Nuggets and NBA neighborhood will miss Dikembe, however his reminiscence and affect will definitely by no means be forgotten.”
The Atlanta Hawks, who retired Mutombo’s No. 55 jersey in 2015, mourned his passing. Principal proprietor Tony Ressler referred to as Mutombo “a proud and honorable man, who lived as much as the definition of a phrase that turned synonymous along with his identify — humanitarian.”
We’re deeply saddened by the information of Dikembe Mutombo’s passing.
Dikembe was a proud and honorable man, who lived as much as the definition of a phrase that turned synonymous along with his identify – humanitarian. He used his many presents and his platform to enhance the lives of everybody he… pic.twitter.com/zsLS4AihJ4
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 30, 2024
The Houston Rockets, with whom Mutombo ended his 19-year-old profession, paid tribute to the late NBA nice on social media. In an announcement, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta wrote, “Dikembe was beloved by your complete NBA neighborhood and his tireless humanitarian efforts left an indelible mark on our league.”
Right this moment we mourn the lack of a real ambassador of our sport, Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo. Dikembe spent 18 seasons within the NBA, together with his closing 5 as a Houston Rocket. His fun-loving persona and trademark finger-wagging endeared him to followers around the globe, however Dikembe’s… pic.twitter.com/BfmKNGLGi3
— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) September 30, 2024
Former President Barack Obama honored Mutombo on social media on Monday afternoon, too.
Dikembe Mutombo was an unimaginable basketball participant – probably the greatest shot blockers and defensive gamers of all time. However he additionally impressed a technology of younger folks throughout Africa, and his work because the NBA’s first international ambassador modified the way in which athletes take into consideration their…
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 30, 2024
With information of Mutombo’s passing approaching the identical day as NBA media day, many NBA gamers weighed in on Mutombo’s legacy throughout their information conferences.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid spoke about Mutombo’s affect each on and off the courtroom. Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, stated that the Congo-born participant was a job mannequin.
“It is a unhappy day, particularly for us Africans, and actually the entire world as a result of aside from what’s completed on the basketball courtroom, I feel he was even higher off the courtroom,” Embiid stated, by way of Yahoo Sports activities’ Vincent Goodwill. “He is one of many guys that I look as much as by way of having an affect … He did quite a lot of nice issues for lots of people.”
Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey additionally spoke about Mutombo on Monday morning, saying that the NBA nice had grow to be Morey’s mentor after they have been each in Houston. The 2 overlapped in 2007, when Morey started his government profession as normal supervisor, till Mutombo’s retirement in 2009.
“There aren’t many guys like him,” Morey stated, by way of The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov. “Only a nice human being.”
Daryl Morey obtained emotional as he talked about Dikembe Mutombo. He came upon about Mutombo’s dying through the press convention. They’d a detailed relationship, he stated, from their time in Houston.
“Only a nice human being,” Morey stated. pic.twitter.com/0RHR0bIY0A
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) September 30, 2024
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri spoke about Mutombo throughout his information convention as effectively, and was very emotional when talking about his pal’s passing.
“It is actually onerous to imagine, and it is onerous for us to be with out that man,” Ujiri stated, by way of Lindsay Dunn of CityNews Toronto. “He is obtained no thought what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me.”
Chris Paul spoke about Mutombo through the San Antonio Spurs media day, saying that he met Mutombo when the 2 performed on the NBA Africa Game in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015.
“Dikembe and what he did for the league, his persona … he is a legend and he’ll be missed,” Paul stated.
NBA Corridor of Famer Magic Johnson posted on X to honor Mutombo after his passing.
“He was not solely an amazing basketball participant who might shield the rim as an elite shot-blocker, but in addition an unimaginable man with a pure coronary heart of gold. He devoted a lot of his life to serving others, which is clear by his lasting affect each within the U.S. and in Africa,” Johnson wrote. “I’ll really miss his huge smile, his spirit, and his highly effective voice.”
I’m so heartbroken to listen to in regards to the passing of my expensive pal and basketball Corridor of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo. He was not solely an amazing basketball participant who might shield the rim as an elite shot-blocker, but in addition an unimaginable man with a pure coronary heart of gold. He devoted a lot of… pic.twitter.com/2XKgju5Nii
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) September 30, 2024
One other Corridor of Famer, Pau Gasol, additionally wrote about Mutombo on social media, talking about Mutombo’s prowess on the courtroom, and his kindness off it.
“I used to be very unhappy to listen to about Dikembe Mutombo’s passing. Dikembe was not solely nice on the courtroom, however a power for good off it, admired and cherished by those that obtained to know him. His smile, his values and his dedication to basketball, in addition to to serving to others, won’t ever be forgotten,” Gasol wrote.
I used to be very unhappy to listen to about Dikembe Mutombo’s passing. Dikembe was not solely nice on the courtroom, however a power for good off it, admired and cherished by those that obtained to know him. His smile, his values and his dedication to basketball, in addition to to serving to others, won’t ever be… pic.twitter.com/KZaOSAXVGE
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) September 30, 2024
Cindy McCain, widow of Senator John McCain, wrote about Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts. By means of his Mutombo Basis, the NBA nice created hospitals, improved infrastructure, supported the expansion of basketball and a lot extra in his native Congo.
“My expensive pal Dikembe Mutombo handed away right this moment of mind most cancers. I knew him as a real humanitarian. Right here we’re collectively in a refugee camp attempting to assist those that couldn’t assist themselves. I’ll love and miss him terribly,” McCain stated in a statement on X.
My expensive pal Dikembe Mutombo handed away right this moment of mind most cancers. I knew him as a real humanitarian. Right here we’re collectively in a refugee camp attempting to assist those that couldn’t assist themselves. I’ll love and miss him terribly. pic.twitter.com/20dHUPaZuv
— Cindy McCain (@cindymccain) September 30, 2024
The Particular Olympics paid tribute to Mutombo, who was a International Ambassador and board member with the group. In a statement on X, the Particular Olympics referred to as Mutombo a “champion of inclusion” and “a colossus on and off the basketball courtroom.”
Particular Olympics is shocked and saddened by right this moment’s information of the passing of our International Ambassador, board member and champion of inclusion Dikembe Mutombo.
Relaxation in peace, “Mount Mutombo”. You have been a colossus on and off the basketball courtroom. #ChooseToInclude pic.twitter.com/dN5jEnqOOG
— Particular Olympics (@SpecialOlympics) September 30, 2024
Serge Ibaka, a former NBA participant who at the moment performs in Europe, thanked Mutombo for his trailblazing efforts as an African player within the league. Ibaka, who was born in Republic of Congo, performed within the NBA for practically 15 years.
“You paved the way in which for me and for a lot of Congolese and African youth along with your legendary basketball profession and charitable actions. You might be an NBA legend and an African icon and that may encourage the various coming generations,” Ibaka wrote.
You paved the way in which for me and for a lot of Congolese and African youth along with your legendary basketball profession and charitable actions. You might be an @NBA legend and an African icon and that may encourage the various coming generations. Relaxation In Peace Dikembe Mutombo.🙏 @NBA_Africa pic.twitter.com/gMpWlonmis
— Serge Ibaka (@sergeibaka) September 30, 2024
