NBA Hall Of Famer Dikembe Mutombo Diagnosed With Brain Tumor
Former NBA center and basketball Hall of Famer, Dikembe Mutombo, has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
According to a statement issued on behalf of Mutombo and his family, he’s currently undergoing treatment in Atlanta and remains in “great spirits.”
"Dikembe and his family ask for privacy during this time so they can focus on his care," the league said. "They are grateful for your prayers and good wishes."
Mutombo, 56, played a total of 18 seasons in the NBA. He played for a total of six teams (Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets) before his retirement at the end of the 2008-2009 season.
Mutombo filled up the statistics throughout his career, including the league’s top defensive player of the year four times, three All-NBA selections and eight All-Star games. Mutombo was notorious for wagging his finger after blocking an opponent’s shot. He finished his career with 3,289 blocks. The only player with more blocks than Mutombo is Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830).
Off the court, Mutombo has been heavily involved with charitable and humanitarian causes. In 2015, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
In August, Mutombo appeared alongside the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at an event in Mutombo’s native country, Congo. “You’ve done so much to bring the world together,” Blinken said to Mutombo.
As Mutobmbo receives treatment, his family and himself are “grateful for your prayers and good wishes” during this time.
