“He was larger than life”

NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo is dead. The 2.18 meter tall member of the basketball hall of fame was 58 years old. According to the National Basketball Association, he died of a brain tumor surrounded by his family. Mutombo played in the NBA from 1991 to 2009 and was a defining figure for a long time. “Dikembe Mutombo was larger than life,” said NBA boss Adam Silver about the death of the former professional and praised him as one of the best defensive players in the history of the league.

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 pointing finger when he blocked an opponent’s attack and said: “Not in my house.” After the end of his career, Mutombo dedicated himself to charitable and humanitarian causes. Two years ago, his family announced that he had a brain tumor.