Dikembe Mutombo, a towering figure in NBA history and a renowned global ambassador for the sport, passed away on Monday at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer, the NBA confirmed. Mutombo, widely regarded as one of the greatest defensive players in the history of basketball, had been undergoing treatment in Atlanta since his family revealed two years ago that he was dealing with a brain tumor. He passed away surrounded by loved ones.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver honored Mutombo’s legacy, stating, “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”

Mutombo, a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was known for his many distinctive traits, from his playful finger wag after blocking shots to his massive frame, deep voice, and infectious smile. His influence reached far beyond the basketball court, with players from newer generations, such as Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, looking up to him as a role model.

“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world,” Embiid remarked. “Other than what he accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court. He’s done a lot of great things for many people. He was a role model of mine. It is a sad day.”

Mutombo’s NBA career spanned 18 seasons, during which he played for several teams, including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and the New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 center, who graduated from Georgetown, was an eight-time All-Star, a three-time All-NBA selection, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Over the course of his career, he averaged 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.

One of the most iconic moments of Mutombo’s career came in the 1994 NBA playoffs when he helped the eighth-seeded Denver Nuggets eliminate the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. It was the first time in NBA history that a No. 8 seed had defeated a No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

Toronto Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who was deeply moved by Mutombo’s death, paid tribute to him, saying, “It’s really hard to believe. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. That guy made us who we are. He was a giant, an incredible person.”

Mutombo’s last NBA season was in 2008-09, after which he shifted his focus to charitable work and humanitarian causes. He was fluent in nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, which focused on improving health, education, and quality of life in his home country of the Congo.

Ryan Mutombo, Dikembe’s son, shared a heartfelt tribute to his father on social media, writing, “My dad is my hero because he simply cared. He remains the purest heart I have ever known.”

In addition to his foundation work, Mutombo served on the boards of several organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation, and UNICEF USA. His humanitarian efforts extended globally, earning him widespread recognition for his commitment to making a positive impact.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver further reflected on Mutombo’s contributions off the court, noting, “There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa.”

Throughout his NBA career, Mutombo established himself as one of the league’s top defensive players. He is one of only three players to have won the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award four times, joining Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Hall of Famer Ben Wallace in that elite group.

Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo also expressed his admiration for Mutombo, reflecting on the advice the Hall of Famer had given him over the years. “He was always there to talk to me and advise me on how to take care of my body, how to ice after games, stretch, and even try new things like yoga,” Antetokounmpo said. “He will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace.”

Philadelphia 76ers President Daryl Morey, who worked closely with Mutombo during his time in Houston, learned of Mutombo’s death during the team’s media day on Monday. Morey became emotional as he recalled Mutombo’s influence, saying, “There aren’t many guys like him. Just a great human being. When I was a rookie GM in this league, my first chance in Houston, he was someone I went to all the time. … His accomplishments on the court, we don’t need to talk about too much. Just an amazing human being, what he did off the court for Africa. Rest in peace, Dikembe.”

Mutombo’s legacy is not only defined by his legendary basketball career but also by his dedication to humanitarian work and his efforts to uplift communities, particularly in Africa. His impact will continue to be felt by generations to come, both on and off the court.