Retired NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo battling mind tumor

Mutombo, an eight-time NBA All-Star, is second all-time within the league for blocked photographs with 3,289, behind Nigeria’s Hakeem Olajuwon. He was the NBA’s Defensive Participant of the 12 months 4 instances.

Mutombo and Olajuwon have been the primary main basketball skills from Africa to make a reputation within the NBA, opening the door for others akin to Luol Dieng and Joel Embiid.

His signature transfer was a finger wag, which he used to let opponents know he was to not be taken evenly.

Mutombo was drafted by the Nuggets within the first spherical in 1991, earlier than heading to Atlanta and Philadelphia. He performed within the NBA Finals twice, although each have been dropping efforts.

He wrapped up his professional profession in 2009 after 18 seasons.

He began the Dikembe Mutombo Basis in 1997 to enhance the standard of life for individuals in his dwelling nation.

Earlier than his time within the NBA, Mutombo was a standout for the Georgetown College Hoyas, solely becoming a member of the basketball crew as a sophomore and graduating with a linguistics diploma. His son Ryan now performs at Georgetown.

“Please maintain Dikembe and the Mutombo household in your prayers. Hoya Nation is behind you, Dikembe,” mentioned present Georgetown coach and fellow NBA Corridor of Famer Patrick Ewing.