Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58 due to brain cancer, according to Shams Charania.

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 1991-2009. An eight-time All-Star, Mutombo was one of the most feared big men in the NBA.

An excellent defender and shot blocker, Mutombo was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1995, ’97, ’98 and 2001. He was also the NBA’s rebound leader in 2000 and ’01.

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

Dikembe Mutombo dies at 58

In 2001, the Hawks traded Mutombo at the deadline to Philadelphia, who ended up as Eastern Conference champions. He was a key cog in helping the Sixers get to the Finals and winning Game 1 against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Mutombo was able to play with eventual Hall of Fame Allen Iverson during his short time in Philadelphia. A year later, he was traded to New Jersey.

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

The No. 4 overall pick out of Georgetown in 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 player.

Mutombo was also a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 and ’91.

In his post playing days, Mutombo’s personality was on display in GEICO auto insurance commercials. They parodied his shot blocking ability and finger wags where Mutombo would block real-world objects and wag his finger.

He also had a brief cameo in the 2021 film Coming 2 America as himself. Mutombo later announced he began treatment for a brain tumor back in October of 2022.

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