Dikembe Mutombo, the towering NBA Hall of Famer known for his shot-blocking prowess and humanitarian efforts, has passed away at 58 following a battle with brain cancer. The league announced his death on Monday, September 30, mourning the loss of a beloved figure both on and off the court. Mutombo, who played for 18 seasons in the NBA, became a household name during his time with the Denver Nuggets and the Atlanta Hawks.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.” Known for his signature finger wag after blocking shots, Mutombo’s legacy transcended basketball, with deep roots in global philanthropy, particularly in his home country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Mutombo’s journey to basketball stardom began at Georgetown University, where he played under the legendary coach John Thompson. At Georgetown, Mutombo developed into one of the best defensive players of his era, joining the ranks of fellow Hoya greats like Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning. Over his NBA career, Mutombo became one of only three players to win Defensive Player of the Year four times, a testament to his dominance in the paint. His impact extended far beyond statistics, earning him eight All-Star appearances and a place in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.

In addition to his accolades on the court, Mutombo was the NBA’s first Global Ambassador, a role that highlighted his deep commitment to using basketball as a force for good. “There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador,” Silver added. “He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across Africa.”

Mutombo’s legacy as a humanitarian is perhaps just as enduring as his basketball career. Fluent in nine languages, he founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, dedicating his life to improving health and education in Africa. Even after his retirement from the NBA in 2009, Mutombo remained active in charitable work, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world, both as a legendary athlete and a global ambassador for change.