“Not in my house”
NBA legend Mutombo dies at 58
September 30, 2024, 6:47 p.m
He elevated defense to an art form, his index finger is legendary: The NBA is mourning the loss of one of its biggest stars: Dikembe Mutombo. The 2.18 meter man suffered from a brain tumor and was only 58 years old. The sadness in the basketball family is great.
NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo is dead. The 2.18 meter tall member of the basketball hall of fame was 58 years old. As the NBA announced, he died of a brain tumor surrounded by his family. Mutombo played in the North American professional league from 1991 to 2009 and was a defining figure for a long time. “This hurts a lot,” wrote former German NBA star Detlef Schrempf on -year olds.
Mutombo started in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, he also played for the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks before playing for the Houston Rockets from 2004 to 2009. He was named to the NBA All-Star team eight times and was named Defensive Player of the Year twice. In 2015 Mutombo was inducted into the Hall of Fame. What became legendary was his index finger when he blocked an opponent’s attack and said: “Not in my house.”
After his career ended, Mutombo devoted himself to charitable and humanitarian causes. The former professional, who is said to have spoken nine languages, also founded a foundation. Two years ago, his family announced that he had a brain tumor. “Dikembe Mutombo was larger than life,” said NBA boss Adam Silver about the death of the former professional and praised him as one of the best defensive players in NBA history. “Off the field he helped others with his heart and soul.”