Sad news in the world of the orange ball. Former pivot and Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has just been diagnosed with a brain tumour. It’s the start of a long fight for the former Hawks and Nuggets legend.
There are papers that are always less pleasant to write than others. This clearly falls into the second category. The NBA released a statement yesterday revealing Dikembe Mutombo’s illness. The former All-Star, known for his defensive prowess and in particular his ability to block balloons (with the little finger celebration in stride), suffers from a brain tumor…
The following was released by the NBA. pic.twitter.com/LdK0EuwK7o
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) October 15, 2022
“NBA Ambassador and Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. He receives the best possible care from a team of specialists in Atlanta and displays an excellent state of mind. Dikembe and his family ask for their privacy during this time so they can focus on his care.”
The news obviously marked certain players or leaders of the League and several sent their wishes of recovery. The owner of the Hawks, Tony Ressler, explained in particular that the former player was going to face this new fight “ with the same determination and courage that made him a legend on and off the pitch. Others took to social media to send a thought to Deke like Rudy Gobert.
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— Rudy Gobert (@rudygobert27) October 15, 2022
Since retiring from the prosecution, Dikembe Mutombo had become an ambassador for the NBA, working in particular for the development of basketball in Africa. Of Congolese origin, Mutombo has also worked to improve education and access to healthcare in his country. His foundation, created in 1997, notably set up the construction of a hospital in Kinshasa, which treats patients regardless of their ability to pay.
As bad news sometimes calls for another, we also learned that Nate Robinson was suffering from kidney failure. The former pocket leader shared a long message on the networks to explain that he has been affected by this problem for four years now. In particular, he hopes that his speech will encourage those who are also affected by this disease to open up more regarding what they experience on a daily basis.
11-year NBA veteran Nate Robinson – a three-time Slam Dunk Contest champion – announces he is battling renal kidney failure and is undergoing treatment. ???????? pic.twitter.com/VICvjXOW7k
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) October 16, 2022
Dikembe Mutombo suffering from a brain tumor, Nate Robinson in kidney failure, the news is not very encouraging from the two former NBA players. May we write regarding their good recovery very soon.
Source texte : Shams Charania / NBA
