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Basketball Hall of Famer, eight-time NBA All-Star, dies at 58
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Basketball Hall of Famer, eight-time NBA All-Star, dies at 58

Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutumbo has died, the NBA announced Monday. He was 58.

Mutumbo died of brain cancer and was surrounded by family at the time of his death, according to an NBA news release. The six-foot center, who was known for waving his finger at opponents after blocking their shots, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022.

“Dikembe Mutumbo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. From the floor up, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”

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Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutumbo played 18 seasons in the NBA from 1991 to 2009. The former Georgetown standout was drafted fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft. He played his first five seasons in Denver before also playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, then-New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets.

During his 18-year career, Mutumbo was an eight-time All-Star, six-time All-Defensive team honoree, four-time Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-NBA selection. He led the NBA in blocks three different seasons and led the league in rebounds twice.

Mutumbo averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 30.5 minutes in 1,196 career games, including 997 starts. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.