NBA legend and one of the best shot-blockers in the history Dikembe Mutombo passed away at the age of 58, today.
Mutombo’s record of 3,289 blocked shots is the second-highest in NBA history.
His legacy is unforgotten with his contributions and appearances throughout his 18-season career with the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, and Philadelphia 76ers.
He won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times and had eight All-Star selections throughout his career.
Born in Kinshasa, Congo, Mutombo moved to the United States to study at Georgetown University. After that Georgetown head coach John Thompson introduced Mutombo to NBA legend Bill Russell, who convinced Mutombo to play.
His fame and talent fast shone in the league. He helped the Denver Nuggets go on an impressive playoff run in 1994. The 8th seeded eliminated the one-seeded Seattle Supersonics in the first round of the playoffs. It was the first time in NBA history that an eighth-ranked team had beaten a one-seed.
The star has supported his homeland's country teams and athletes.
He passed away after battling brain cancer.
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