Nagtaliwan na sa edad nga 58-anyos ang Basketball Hall of Famer kag longtime NBA global ambassador nga si Dikembe Mutombo bangud sa brain cancer.
Suno pa sa NBA, napalibutan sang iya pamilya si Mutombo sang tion nga ginbawian ini sang kabuhi.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others,” kabahin sang statement ni NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.
“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s 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.”
Nahibaluan nga ang amo nga Congolese center ang napilian nga NBA All-Star sang walo ka beses.
Ang iya seven-foot, two-inch nga kataason amo ang naghimo sa iya bilang isa sa pinakakilala nga shot-blockers sang liga nga apat ka beses na nga nahingadlan nga defensive player of the year.
Sang 2015, na-induct pa siya sa Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
18 ka tuig ang iya karera sa NBA nga nagsugod sang napilian siya nga pang-apat sang Denver Nuggets sa 1991 NBA Draft.
Magluwas sa Nuggets, nakahampang man siya sa Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, anay team nga New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks kag Houston Rockets.
Kun wala naman sa court, kilala si Mutombo sa iya mga humanitarian work — halimbawa ang Dikembe Mutombo Foundation nga natukod sang 1997 nga may mission nga mapaayo ang kabuhi kag edukasyon sa iya pungsod nga Congo.
2022 sang nagkumpirma si Mutombo nga nagapaidalom siya sa treatment sa Atlanta bangud sa brain tumor.
Bisan wala na ini, magapabilin ang iya pangalan kag legasiya sa court, santo sa statement ni Silver.
“I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.
“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues on in those who he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart and I will miss him dearly.
“On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife, Rose, and their children; his many friends; and the global basketball community which he truly loved and which loved him back.”#
