One of the greatest US basketball players in history, Dikembe Mutombo is dead.
He died from brain cancer, aged 58.
Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo was a Congolese-American professional basketball player. He played 18 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Announcing his death on Tuesday, the NBA said he died surrounded by his family.
His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumour.
Some of his contemporaries have sent their condolences and tributes.
NBA arguably greatest player and fellow Hall of Famer, Michael Jordan, extending words of affection, said the world would miss Dikembe, who he said was NBA’s best defensive player ever.
Jordan said, “I am deeply saddened to hear about Dikembe’s passing. He was a defensive force on the court who changed the way the game of basketball is played. But more importantly, Dikembe truly changed the world and improved countless lives through his humanitarian work in Africa. I will especially miss hearing his booming laugh. My condolences to his wife, Rose, his children and his family.”
