Larger than life: On the death of Dikembe Mutombo

NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo is dead. The 2.18 meter tall member of the basketball hall of fame was 58 years old. As the NBA announced, he died of a brain tumor surrounded by his family. Mutombo played in the North American professional league from 1991 to 2009 and was a defining figure for a long time. “This hurts a lot,” wrote former German NBA professional Detlef Schrempf, 61, on X. “I spent many All-Star weekends with Dikembe at various events. He was a good man who made a difference.”

Mutombo started in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets, he also played for the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks before playing for the Houston Rockets from 2004 to 2009. He was named to the NBA All-Star team eight times and was named Defensive Player of the Year twice. In 2015, Mutombo was inducted into the Hall of Fame. What became legendary was his index finger when he blocked an opponent’s attack and said: “Not in my house”.

After his career ended, Mutombo devoted himself to charitable and humanitarian causes. The former professional, who is said to have spoken nine languages, also founded a foundation. Two years ago, his family announced that he had a brain tumor. “Dikembe Mutombo was larger than life,” said NBA boss Adam Silver on the death of the former professional and praised him as one of the best defensive players in NBA history. “Off the field, he helped others with his heart and soul.”