Atlanta, Georgia – Dikembe Mutombo, the iconic shot-blocking NBA center and renowned humanitarian, passed away on September 30, 2024, at the age of 58.
The cause of death was reported as brain cancer, according to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
Mutombo’s passing has sent waves of sorrow through the basketball and humanitarian communities alike.
Best known for his 18-season career in the NBA, where he became a Hall of Famer, Mutombo also made a lasting impact off the court.
His philanthropic work in his native Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly his partnership with Smile Train, helped provide over 540 free cleft surgeries since 2017 at the Hospital Biamba Marie Mutombo, which he founded in memory of his mother.
Smile Train shared on Facebook, “Dikembe took immense pride in this work collaboration, often visiting patients and sharing how meaningful this mission work was to him.”
Mutombo was admired for his towering presence on the court, where he blocked 3,289 shots, second only to Hakeem Olajuwon.
His signature finger-wagging after blocks became a memorable trademark.
However, it was his humanitarian spirit, particularly his focus on health care in the Congo, that has left an indelible mark on countless lives.
Mutombo’s legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations in Africa.