Dikembe Mutombo, an NBA Hall of Fame player and tireless advocate for basketball, dies at 58 from brain cancer

Dikembe Mutombo, a Basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game, died Monday from brain cancer, the league announced. He was 58. His family revealed two years ago that he was undergoing treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor. The NBA said he died surrounded by his family. Late NBA basketball player Dikembe Mutombo laughs during a news conference announcing him as one of the 12 finalists of this year’s hall of fame class during an event ahead of the NBA All Star basketball game, on Feb. 14, 2015, in New York. Photo credit: Julio Cortez, The Associated Press “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “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.” Mutombo was distinctive in so many ways —& the playful finger wag at opponents& after blocking their shots, his height, his deep and gravelly voice, his massive smile. Players of this generation were always drawn to him and Philadelphia 76ers star Joel...