Basketball icon Dikembe Mutombo has sadly passed away at the age of 58 after a courageous fight against brain cancer. The National Basketball Association (NBA) shared the news on Monday, revealing that the Hall of Fame player was surrounded by his family during his final moments.
Mutombo celebrated for his exceptional shot-blocking skills and his signature finger wave that accompanied every blocked shot, had been receiving treatment for a brain tumor in Atlanta for the last two years.
His contributions to the game and his memorable presence on the court have left an indelible mark on the sport and its fans.
Dikembe Mutombo Cause Of Death
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver remarked in a statement on Monday.
NO NO NO ☝🏾☝🏾☝🏾
— 𝐁ℝㄖℕυℕivⓔℝsit𝕐 (@BronUniversity) September 30, 2024
The funniest “mean tweet” in history. RIP Cookie Monster’s backup: Dikembe Mutombo. RIP 🌹🙏🏾
pic.twitter.com/Eqgp9KhFh9
“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,” Silver continued.
“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. 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 the continent of Africa,” Adam Silver added.
His son, Ryan Mutombo, expressed his heartfelt sentiments, stating, “He loved others with every ounce of his being. That’s what made him so accessible. “
One of my favorite Dikembe Mutombo moments was him continuously going back and forth with MJ pic.twitter.com/O3UKasLbMu
— Jasmine (@JasmineLWatkins) September 30, 2024
He added “That’s what made him real. Dikembe Mutombo was salt and light, and today, on the 30th of September, 2024, he has been called to rest. I love you, Dad. Rest easy.”
We are deeply saddened by the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s passing.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) September 30, 2024
Dikembe was a proud and honorable man, who lived up to the definition of a word that became synonymous with his name – humanitarian. He used his many gifts and his platform to improve the lives of everyone he… pic.twitter.com/zsLS4AihJ4
Dikembe Mutombo Net Worth
According to Merca2.0, Dikembe Mutombo, a towering figure in the world of basketball, had an illustrious career that spanned 18 seasons in the NBA from 1991 to 2009. Standing at 7’2″, the center from the Democratic Republic of the Congo became renowned as one of the sport’s premier defensive players.
Throughout his impressive career, Mutombo amassed a substantial net worth estimated at $75 million, primarily derived from his NBA salary and lucrative endorsement deals.
Throughout his time in the league, Mutombo earned more than $143 million in salary alone, not accounting for the additional millions garnered from endorsements. Some of his most significant contracts included a five-year, $56 million agreement with the Atlanta Hawks and a four-year, $65 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
His peak earning year was the 2001-02 season, during which he received an impressive $16.25 million from the 76ers. Even after hanging up his sneakers, Mutombo remained a prominent figure in advertising, appearing in commercials and maintaining his public profile, further solidifying his financial success.
