Dikembe Mutumbo died of brain cancer today at the age of 58 and I never thought it would hit me like this.

My entire life as a basketball fan and player, I’ve always thought about his iconic shot-blocking taunt, wagging his finger and saying, “NO NO NO!” in an unmistakably deep, gravelly baritone.

Dikembe Mutombo’s journey in the NBA was marked by a towering presence that instilled fear in opponents for nearly two decades. From the moment the Denver Nuggets selected him fourth overall in 1991, it was clear that Mutombo was not your typical player. Standing 7 feet 2 inches tall, his game revolved around stifling defenses and he quickly became one of the league’s most feared shot blockers.

His now-famous finger wag that followed a rejection served as a reminder of his dominance. In 18 seasons, Mutombo earned four Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named an All-Star eight times, representing teams such as the Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets. Here’s a clip of him serving with Philly on the Warriors.

I still remember him battling top giant Shaquille O’Neal in the 2001 NBA Finals and fighting valiantly against an all-time legend as Defensive Player of the Year.

But the awards and statistics only tell part of the story. By the time he retired, Mutombo had established himself as the second most successful shot blocker in NBA history.

But behind those numbers was a man who carried the burden of his homeland on his shoulders. Born in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo used his platform to bring attention to his country’s struggles. His contributions outside the court, particularly through the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which built hospitals in Congo, paint a picture of a man who never forgot where he came from.

His induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015 was bittersweet, a recognition of both his accomplishments on the court and his humanitarian efforts off the court. However, his legacy goes far beyond basketball. For all the blocked shots and defensive accolades, it is the lives he touched through his philanthropic work that endure the longest. RIP to Mt Mutumbo.