Current:Home > FinanceNBA players, coaches, GMs react to Dikembe Mutombo's death: 'He made us who we are.'-LoTradeCoin
NBA players, coaches, GMs react to Dikembe Mutombo's death: 'He made us who we are.'
View Date:2024-12-23 22:33:34
Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri had already finished speaking to reporters for NBA media day and came back out when he learned about the death of Dikembe Mutombo on Monday morning. But then he almost couldn’t finish what he wanted to say.
“It’s really hard to believe, and it’s hard for us to be without that guy. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me,” said Ujiri, wiping tears from his eyes and pausing for several moments. “I’m sorry, it’s a tough one. I have to say, though, that guy, he made us, he made us who we are. That guy is a giant, an incredible person.”
The NBA lost a beloved figure when Mutombo, a Hall of Fame center and tireless humanitarian, died of brain cancer at 58 years old. The league announced the news right as 28 of its teams were beginning to hold media day interviews with reporters in their respective cities. So Mutombo’s memory became part of the conversation along with all the other storylines that could unfold during the 2024-25 NBA season.
2024 NBA MEDIA DAY:Live updates, schedule and how to watch
Known for his trademark “Finger Wag” celebration on blocks during games and his efforts to improve the quality of life and health in his native Republic of the Congo and with the Special Olympics off the court, Mutombo was hailed for his competitive fire, his kindness and his influence in growing the sport in Africa.
The four-time NBA defensive player of the year finished his 18-season career ranked second all-time in blocks, and played for six teams (Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets). His No. 55 jersey is retired by both the Nuggets and Hawks.
Mutombo was considered a global ambassador for the sport through the NBA.
"Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life," NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. "On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others."
"He was a humanitarian at his core," Silver continued. "He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation."
In Philadelphia, where Mutombo played for the 76ers in the NBA Finals in 2001, Daryl Morey spoke of being a rookie general manager in Houston who went to Mutombo “all the time” when Mutombo was wrapping up his career with the Rockets playing behind Yao Ming.
“There aren't many guys like him. Just a great human being,” Morey said.
76ers star Joel Embiid, born in Cameroon, called it “a sad day, especially for us Africans and really the whole world.”
“Other than what he’s accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court,” Embiid said. “He’s one of the guys that I look up to as far as having an impact not just on the court, but off the court. He’s done a lot of great things. He did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine.”
NBA world reacts to Dikembe Mutombo passing
veryGood! (2588)
Related
- Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul stirs debate: Is this a legitimate fight?
- Supporters say China's Sophia Huang Xueqin, #MeToo journalist and activist, sentenced to jail for subversion
- Porzingis available for Celtics as they try to wrap up sweep of NBA Finals against Mavericks
- 76ers star Joel Embiid crashes NBA Finals and makes rooting interest clear: 'I hate Boston'
- Watch out, Temu: Amazon Haul, Amazon's new discount store, is coming for the holidays
- Ariana DeBose talks hosting Tony Awards, Marvel debut: I believe in versatility
- Gretchen Walsh, a senior at Virginia, sets world record at Olympic trials
- What College World Series games are on Saturday?
- US Congress hopes to 'pull back the curtain' on UFOs in latest hearing: How to watch
- Euro 2024 highlights: Germany crushes Scotland in tournament opener. See all the goals
Ranking
- Lions find way to win, Bears in tough spot: Best (and worst) from NFL Week 10
- Kevin Bacon regrets being 'resistant' to 'Footloose': 'Time has given me perspective'
- The fizz is gone: Atlanta’s former Coca-Cola museum demolished for parking lot
- Horoscopes Today, June 14, 2024
- Bull doge! Dogecoin soars as Trump announces a government efficiency group nicknamed DOGE
- Horoscopes Today, June 15, 2024
- Kansas lawmakers poised to lure Kansas City Chiefs from Missouri, despite economists’ concerns
- Dallas coach pokes the bear again, says Boston was 'ready to celebrate' before Game 4
Recommendation
-
US overdose deaths are down, giving experts hope for an enduring decline
-
Arrests of 8 with suspected ISIS ties in U.S. renew concern of terror attack
-
U.S. sanctions Israeli group for damaging humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians
-
In-N-Out raises California prices of Double-Double after minimum wage law
-
Seattle man faces 5 assault charges in random sidewalk stabbings
-
WWE Clash at the Castle 2024 results: CM Punk costs Drew McIntyre; winners, highlights
-
Can Florida win Stanley Cup? Panthers vs. Oilers Game 4 live stream, TV, time, odds, keys
-
Porzingis available for Celtics as they try to wrap up sweep of NBA Finals against Mavericks