Last 30 September, the NBA world mourns the death of Dikembe Mutombo at age 58. Throughout that day until today, members of the basketball world paid homage to the Hall of Famer and humanitarian, honoring his on- and off-court legacy.
The Mutombo family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor. The NBA said he died surrounded by his family.
The NBA announced the news on Monday morning with a statement from commissioner Adam Silver about his personal relationship with Mutombo, who became a global ambassador for the NBA.
"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," Silver wrote in the statement. "I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe's big heart, and I will miss him dearly."Mutombo's son, Ryan, wrote a heartfelt message on Instagram, calling his father his hero and "the purest heart I have ever known."
"At times, I thought of my dad as a super-human. This child in me would sigh to hear that this was never actually the case," Ryan Mutombo wrote in the post. "My dad was a regular man who would stop at no lengths to honor the world, its people and its creator. He loved others with every ounce of his being. That's what made him so accessible. That's what made him real."Mutombo began his career 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 one of the most unique and beloved players to every step foot on a basketball court. The work and efforts he put in off the court to give back to his home country, Africa and the NBA cities that loved him was just as extradordinary," the statement read. "Words cannot express how much the Nuggets and NBA community will miss Dikembe, but his memory and impact will certainly never be forgotten."
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