Nov 24, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks former center Dikembe Mutumbo reacts to the crowd after his jersey is retired at half time of the Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports Jason Getz
NBA legend and former Sixers big man Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer, commissioner Adam Silver announced Monday:
NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/fkFPaiMVD3
Mutombo was acquired by the Sixers during the 2000-01 season, and alongside eventual NBA MVP Allen Iverson, he helped the Sixers to reached the NBA Finals. In parts of two seasons with the Sixers, Mutombo averaged 11.5 points per game, while grabbing 11.2 rebounds and posting 2.0 blocks.
A native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo spent parts of five seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks and Houston Rockets. He also had brief stints with the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks. Current Sixers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey was the general manager of the Rockets at the tail-end of Mutombo's playing career, and gave his thoughts on the legend's passing at Sixers Media Day Monday.
"I knew him personally," Morey said to the media, including On Pattison's Austin Krell. "We were together for many seasons in Houston. Obviously very important to the Sixers franchise, as well. There aren’t many guys like him. Just a great human being. When I was a rookie GM in this league, my first chance in Houston, he was someone I went to all the time. He was older than me, which is pretty rare. Obviously, his accomplishments on the court we don’t need to talk about too much. But, just amazing human being. What he did off the court for Africa. So anyway, rest in peace, Dikembe."
Mutombo was an eight-time All-Star and four-time Defensive Player of the Year. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Everyone at On Pattison sends their condolences to Mutombo's family and friends.
