Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo According to Shams Charania, he died of brain cancer at the age of 58.

A 19-year NBA veteran, Mutombo played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets from 1991 to 2009. An eight-time All-Star, Mutombo was one of the NBA’s most feared big men.

An outstanding defender and shot blocker, Mutombo was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001. He was also the NBA’s rebounding leader in 2000 and 2001.

His No. 55 was retired by the Hawks and Nuggets for his contributions to each franchise. Mutombo did not win a championship during his professional career, but was key to the final in two rounds.

Dikembe Mutombo dies at the age of 58

In 2001, the Hawks traded Mutombo at the deadline to Philadelphia, which ultimately became Eastern Conference champions. He was instrumental in the Sixers reaching the Finals and winning Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mutombo was able to play with the future Hall of Famer Allen Iverson during his brief time in Philadelphia. A year later he was transferred to New Jersey.

Mutombo helped the Nets reach the 2003 NBA Finals, but New Jersey fell to the San Antonio Spurs in six games.

The No. 4 overall pick Georgetown Coming into the 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo was a legend in the old-school Big East. He was named first-team All-Big East in 1991 and was a third-team All-American.

Mutombo was also a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 and 1991.

In his post-season years, Mutombo’s personality was featured in GEICO car insurance commercials. They parodied his ability to block shots and wag his finger while Mutombo blocked real objects and wag his finger.

He also had a brief cameo in the 2021 film Comes 2 America as himself. Mutombo later announced that he had already started treatment for a brain tumor in October 2022.