{"id":261250,"date":"2024-09-30T17:47:52","date_gmt":"2024-09-30T17:47:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/30\/nba-hall-of-fame-member-dies-at-58-hollywood-life\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:11:04","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:11:04","slug":"nba-hall-of-fame-member-dies-at-58-hollywood-life","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2024\/09\/30\/nba-hall-of-fame-member-dies-at-58-hollywood-life\/","title":{"rendered":"NBA Hall of Fame Member Dies at 58 \u2013 Hollywood Life"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Image Credit: Getty Images for UNICEF<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Dikembe Mutombo<\/a> Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo<\/strong>, NBA Global Ambassador, Hall of Fame member and humanitarian, has died<\/a>. He was 58 years old. The NBA announced the news in addition to his cause of death on Monday, September 30, via social media.<\/p>\n

\u201cNBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer,\u201d the association tweeted, adding, \u201cHe was surrounded by his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver released a statement as well, calling Mutombo \u201clarger\u00a0than life on the court\u201d and \u201cone of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n

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NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.<\/p>\n

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com\/fkFPaiMVD3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA Communications (@NBAPR) September 30, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cOff the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others,\u201d Silver continued in his statement. \u201cThere was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA\u2019s 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. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing firsthand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years \u2014 with his infectious smile, deep, booming voice, and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Silver concluded his tribute to Mutombo by writing, \u201cOn behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dick\u2019s wife, rose, and their children; his many friends; and the global basketball community, which he truly loved and which loved him back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mutombo first met his wife, Rose Mutombo<\/strong>, in the 1990s. They welcomed three children together and also adopted four additional kids. The couple\u2019s son Ryan Mutombo<\/strong> followed in his late father\u2019s footsteps by attending Georgetown University\u2019s basketball team. After three seasons at the school, Ryan transferred to Georgia Tech and currently plays for the team, according to The Guardian<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

News of Mutombo\u2019s death comes nearly two years after he underwent surgery for a brain tumor. Per ESPN<\/a>, the NBA reported that he had begun treatment in Atlanta in October 2022 and was in \u201cgreat spirits\u201d at the time.<\/p>\n

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