On Monday, the basketball world mourned the loss of Mutombo, a Hall of Famer and humanitarian known for his feats both on and off the court.
Dikeme Mutombo’s jersey is retired in both Denver and Atlanta after a successful 19-year career in the NBA. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
On Monday, the NBA world lost a giant with the death of Dikembe Mutombo at age 58. Throughout the day, members of the basketball world paid homage to the Hall of Famer and humanitarian, honoring his on- and off-court legacy.
The NBA announced the news 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.”
The Atlanta Hawks, who retired Mutombo’s No. 55 jersey in 2015, mourned his passing. Principal owner Tony Ressler called Mutombo “a proud and honorable man, who lived up to the definition of a word that became synonymous with his name — humanitarian.”
The Houston Rockets, with whom Mutombo ended his 19-year-old career, paid tribute to the late NBA great on social media. In a statement, Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta wrote, “Dikembe was beloved by the entire NBA community and his tireless humanitarian efforts left an indelible mark on our league.”
With news of Mutombo’s passing coming on the same day as NBA media day, many NBA players weighed in on Mutombo’s legacy during their news conferences.
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid spoke about Mutombo’s impact both on and off the court. Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, said that the Congo-born player was a role model.
“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world because other than what is accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court,” Embiid said, via Yahoo Sports’ Vincent Goodwill. “He’s one of the guys that I look up to in terms of having an impact … He did a lot of great things for a lot of people.”
Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey also spoke about Mutombo on Monday morning, saying that the NBA great had become Morey’s mentor when they were both in Houston. The two overlapped in 2007, when Morey began his executive career as general manager, until Mutombo’s retirement in 2009.
“There aren’t many guys like him,” Morey said, via The Athletic’s Mike Vorkunov. “Just a great human being.”
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri spoke about Mutombo during his news conference as well, and was very emotional when speaking about his friend’s passing.
“It’s really hard to believe, and it’s hard for us to be without that guy,” Ujiri said, via Lindsay Dunn of CityNews Toronto. “He’s got no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me.”
Chris Paul spoke about Mutombo during the San Antonio Spurs media day, saying that he met Mutombo when the two played at the NBA Africa Game in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2015.
“Dikembe and what he did for the league, his personality … he’s a legend and he’ll be missed,” Paul said.
NBA Hall of Famer Pau Gasol wrote about Mutombo on social media, speaking about Mutombo’s prowess on the court, and his kindness off it.
“I was very sad to hear about Dikembe Mutombo’s passing. Dikembe was not only great on the court, but a force for good off it, admired and loved by those who got to know him. His smile, his values and his dedication to basketball, as well as to helping others, will never be forgotten,” Gasol wrote.
Cindy McCain, widow of Senator John McCain, wrote about Mutombo’s humanitarian efforts. Through his Mutombo Foundation, the NBA great created hospitals, improved infrastructure, supported the growth of basketball and so much more in his native Congo.
“My dear friend Dikembe Mutombo passed away today of brain cancer. I knew him as a true humanitarian. Here we are together in a refugee camp trying to help those who could not help themselves. I will love and miss him terribly,” McCain said in a statement on X.
The Special Olympics paid tribute to Mutombo, who was a Global Ambassador and board member with the organization. In a statement on X, the Special Olympics called Mutombo a “champion of inclusion” and “a colossus on and off the basketball court.”
Serge Ibaka, a former NBA player who currently plays in Europe, thanked Mutombo for his trailblazing efforts as an African player in the league. Ibaka, who was born in Republic of Congo, played in the NBA for nearly 15 years.
“You paved the way for me and for many Congolese and African youth with your legendary basketball career and charitable actions. You are an NBA legend and an African icon and that will inspire the many coming generations,” Ibaka wrote.
