He sickened countless attackers in a racket he dominated like no one else.
A real star of the NBA in the 1990s and considered one of the best defenders in history, the Congolese giant Dikembe Mutombo (2.18 m) suffers from a brain tumor, the northern league announced on Saturday. American.
“NBA Global Ambassador and Hall of Fame member Dikembe Mutombo is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor,” the statement said, adding that he “is receiving the best care possible from 'a team of specialists from Atlanta'.
Four-time best defender in the NBA
“Dikembe, as well as his family, ask to respect his privacy during this time, so that he can focus on his care,” concludes the NBA.
His boss Adam Silver quickly sent him a message of support.
“All our thoughts and prayers go out to Dikembe, one of the great humanitarians in our world,” he wrote, referring to the many charitable actions in which the former player is involved.
The NBA issued today the following statement on behalf of Dikembe Mutombo and his family.
pic.twitter.com/ZkuqwwUFVG
— NBA (@NBA) October 15, 2022
Quadruple best defender in the league in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2001 (a record he shares with former Pistons Ben Wallace), Mutombo has been one of the most deterrent players the NBA has ever known.
Born in Kinshasa in 1966, he mastered, from the height of his 2.18 m, the art of counter like few and had even made it his signature, with the "Mutombo Finger Wag", this way of waving the left finger right in front of the opponent, when he had just succeeded in one, to tell him "not in my house" ("not at home").
Second best blocker in history
Eight times selected in the All-Star Game, top rebounder in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 regular seasons, Mutombo began his career in Denver, which drafted him in 4th position in 1991. In 1996, he took over the management of Atlanta, before moving to Philadelphia in 2000. Nine months later, alongside star Allen Iverson, he played in his first NBA Finals, ultimately losing to the Lakers of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.
The second in 2003 will also be a failure, in the jersey of the New Jersey Nets this time, still against Los Angeles.
With 3,289 blocks inflicted, he is the second best blocker in history, behind the legendary Hakeem Olajuwon.
The two players were also the first representatives of the African continent to win in the highest league in the world.