The 7’2” player won friends while blocking their shots, and won fans for his towering presence as a trailblazer off the court.

NBA star Dikembe Mutombo has died at 58 after battling brain cancer. Discover his inspiring story as a humanitarian and NBA legend with lasting community impact.

The finger wag. The enormous smile. The unmistakable voice. Dikembe Mutombo played defense at a level and with a flair that few others in basketball history ever possessed, all among the many reasons why he’s immortalized in the Hall of Fame.

Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has died at 58 years old after a battle with brain cancer. Mutombo’s career spanned from 1992-2009, and featured eight All-Star appearances and four Defensive Player of the Year awards. “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, who also had a massive impact off the court, passed away on Monday at the age of 58 from brain cancer. While he was a dominant force in the league, Mutombo was a great human.

The basketball world lost an icon this past week as legendary big man Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 following a battle with brain cancer. As the family continues to mourn, his loved ones have a request for fans looking to show their appreciation and respect.