Hall of Fame NBA center Dikembe Mutombo is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor in Atlanta, according to a statement from the NBA.
Mutombo, 56, is a beloved player and longtime global ambassador for the league. “He is receiving the best care possible from a collaborative team of specialists" according to the statement, which also says he is in"great spirits."Mutombo is so iconic that the idea of defense is synonymous with his name. The four-time defensive player of the year popularized his classic finger wag after his countless rejections at the rim.
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the the formerly New Jersey Nets. Only beginning to play basketball when he was 17, the 7-foot-2 center out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star. A the three-time All-NBA pick, Mutombo was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.
Mutombo’s son Ryan, now follows in his footsteps, playing center at Georgetown at the exact same height his father did."Praying for a full and speedy recovery, dear Dikembe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family" he