Legendary NBA big man Dikembe Mutombo passed away on Monday, and Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe paid respects to the Hall-of-Famer during his media day on Monday.

Keefe actually started his press conference by honoring Mutombo, calling his death a great loss to the entire “basketball community,” via Chase Hughes of Monumental Sports Network.

Mutombo played in the NBA from 1991 through 2009, spending time with six different teams. He boasted career averages of 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks over 30.8 minutes per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.

The Georgetown product was originally selected by the Denver Nuggets with the fourth overall pick of the 1991 NBA Draft.

Mutombo spent three seasons with the Nuggets, leading the league in blocks per game three years in a row between 1993-94 and 1995-96. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994-95.

The seven-foot center was then traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he spent four and a half years, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

Mutombo then bounced between the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks before spending the final five years of his career with the Houston Rockets. He made Finals appearances with the 76ers in 2001 and then again with the Nets in 2003.

Mutombo won Defensive Player of the Year a total of four times and made eight All-Star teams.

The two-time rebounding champion was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 and is widely regarded as one of the most impactful defenders to ever play the game.

Mutombo was also known for his work in the community and is one of the most beloved and recognizable players of his era.

At the time of his death he was 58 years old.

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