NBA legend Mutombo dies from brain cancer aged 58

NBA Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has died from encephalon crab astatine the property of 58.

The eight-time NBA All-Star, who retired successful 2009, spent 18 years playing successful the league for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.

Mutombo began attraction for a encephalon tumour successful October 2022.

"Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life," said NBA commissioner Adam Silver.

"On the tribunal helium was 1 of the top changeable blockers and antiaircraft players successful the past of the NBA. Off the floor, helium poured his bosom and psyche into helping others."

Standing 7ft 2in (2.18m) tall, DR Congo-born centre Mutombo was discovered portion studying astatine Georgetown University and was selected by the Nuggets with the 4th wide prime successful the 1991 NBA Draft.

His lukewarm property and trademark finger-wagging solemnisation made him a instrumentality favourite.

He doubly reached the NBA Finals, archetypal for the 76ers successful 2001 and past the Nets (now Brooklyn Nets) 2 years later.

Known for his antiaircraft game, helium led the NBA successful blocked shots for 5 consecutive seasons and blocks per crippled for a grounds 3 consecutive seasons.

Following his status some the Hawks and Nuggets retired his fig 55 shirt, and successful 2015 helium was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.

Mutombo was a planetary ambassador for the NBA and carried retired humanitarian enactment successful his location country.

"He loved what the crippled of hoops could bash to marque a affirmative interaction connected communities, particularly successful his autochthonal Democratic Republic of the Congo and crossed the continent of Africa," Silver added.

"He was ever accessible astatine NBA events implicit the years - with his infectious smile, heavy booming dependable and signature digit wag that endeared him to hoops fans of each generation."