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NBA legend and basketball hall of famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58.
According to TMZ, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement confirming Mutombo’s passing on Monday, September 30. Silver’s statement was shared via X, formerly known as Twitter, by the official NBA Communications account. Additionally, the account revealed that Mutombo passed from a battle with brain cancer.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life… I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly,” Silver stated. “On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife, Rose, and their children; his many friends; and the global basketball community which he truly loved and which loved him back.”
Swipe below to read the commissioner’s full statement.
According to TMZ, Mutombo played in the NBA for eighteen years, between 1991 and 2009. He reportedly donned jerseys for the Denver Nuggets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and other teams. Furthermore, the outlet notes that Mutombo became an “eight-time NBA All-Star” who won the “Defensive Player of the Year award” on four occasions.
After his NBA career, Mutombo reportedly dedicated his efforts to philanthropy for his home nation of Congo. Additionally, he served as the “first Global Ambassador for the NBA.”
Mutombo had initially revealed his battle with cancer in October 2022.
Social media users reacted to Mutombo’s passing in The Shade Room’s comment section.
Instagram user @chakabars wrote, “Rest in peace, love to all from Congo 🇨🇩”
While Instagram user @stanwitdaskits added, “Damn RIP Legend *hits the finger wag one time* 😢”
Instagram user @tia_becca_ wrote, “🙏🏾🙏🏾 An amazing human being… job well done.”
As The Shade Room previously reported, Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant, passed away on July 15. Joe was 69 years old.
Additionally, reports at the time asserted that he “recently suffered a massive stroke.”
Similarly, like Mutombo, Joe Bryant donned jerseys for multiple NBA teams, including the Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets.
Ultimately, his passing prompted Kobe’s widow, Vanessa Bryant, to share a statement in reaction.
