The New York Knicks have launched an announcement following the demise of Basketball Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo.
“We’re very saddened to study of the passing of basketball legend and former Knick Dikembe Mutombo,” » signifies the Knicks press launch. “He impacted the sport of basketball in so some ways, on and off the court docket. Our deepest condolences exit to his household, mates and your entire basketball group, wherein he performed such an essential position in improvement the world over.”
Mutombo, who died at age 58 from mind most cancers, performed one 12 months with the Knicks and averaged 6.7 rebounds with 1.9 blocks in 65 appearances through the 2003-04 season. New York was the penultimate cease of Mutombo’s profession, which additionally included Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Houston.
– NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) September 30, 2024
Karl-Anthony Cities, who can be Mutombo’s subsequent successor because the Knicks’ beginning middle, posted his personal tribute on his social media within the type of a photograph with the Corridor of Famer. The duo is pictured partaking in Mutombo’s trademark act, a typical sight after his many rejections.
“We misplaced not solely top-of-the-line basketball gamers of all time, however top-of-the-line human beings now we have ever seen,” Cities wrote within the accompanying captionrecognizing Mutombo’s monumental humanitarian work. “An enormous loss to the world and the NBA household. Relaxation in peace.”
We misplaced not solely top-of-the-line basketball gamers of all time, but additionally top-of-the-line human beings now we have ever seen. Big loss for the world and the NBA household. Relaxation in peace pic.twitter.com/AZCjlg8jCV
– Karl-Anthony Cities (@KarlTowns) September 30, 2024
Mutombo’s legacy will possible by no means be forgotten: the Congolese-born middle led the Affiliation in blocks thrice and nonetheless occupies second place within the class. He additionally led the league in rebounding twice and was invited to eight NBA All-Star Video games.
So far, he’s certainly one of solely three gamers to win Defensive Participant of the 12 months a file 4 occasions, joined by Rudy Gobert and Ben Wallace. Mutombo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Corridor of Fame in 2015 and had his quantity 55 retired by the Atlanta Hawks and Denver Nuggets.