The global basketball community is in mourning following the sad news of Dikembe Mutombo‘s passing.

The NBA itself shared the announcement on social media with a statement, confirming the death of the former player, Hall of Famer, and one of the greatest shot blockers of all time.

Mutombo, who served as a global ambassador for the NBA and was the president of the foundation bearing his name, which he established in 1997, passed away after a battle with brain cancer, which he had been fighting since 2022.

At the time of his passing, Mutombo was 58 years old.

NBA statement on Dikembe Mutombo death

To deliver the sad news to the world, the NBA issued a statement with words from Adam Silver, who described Dikembe Mutombo as “someone who transcended life itself.

On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defenders in NBA history. Off the court, he dedicated his heart and soul to helping others.”

Silver also emphasized, “There was no one more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s global ambassador.

He loved everything basketball could do for communities, especially in his native Republic of the Congo and across the entire African continent.”