Dikembe Mutombo (Image Credit: Getty Images)
Eight-time NBA All-Star Dikembe Mutombo, a member of the NBA Hall of Fame, passed away on Monday at the age of 58. The former Denver Nuggets center played 18 seasons in the league, and the NBA announced that Mutombo had died from brain cancer.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mutombo moved to the United States in 1987 and played college basketball at Georgetown University. The fourth overall pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft, Mutombo played for six NBA franchises, including the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
In an official statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said, “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. 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 added, “There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core.”
NBA Global Ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo passed away today at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver issued the following statement. pic.twitter.com/uHgZgSBDUJ
— NBA (@NBA) September 30, 2024
The four-time Defensive Player of the Year averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in his NBA career. In his storied career, Dikembe Mutombo led the league in rebounding twice in 2000 and 2001 and thrice in blocking from 1994 to 1996.
Everyone Is Praying For Baker Mayfield And His Wife After The Couple Was Forced From Their Home In Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily (Photo via emilywmayfield/IG)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife Emily have had to evacuate their home this week because of Hurricane Helene.
The hurricane hit northern Florida pretty hard, causing major flooding and power loss.
Mayfield, his wife Emily, their daughter, and their dog left their residence before the storm hit as a means of caution. Emily furnished her followers with an update on Friday.
“Baker, Koko, Fergus and I evacuated yesterday and are safe,” she said via Instagram. “Our sweet, sweet community got pummeled, but even that doesn’t compare to the people up North who took this storm head on. It’s unfathomable.”
Emily is grateful that Helene did not affect the Mayfield home but revealed she was “praying nonstop” for the people dealing with the impact while also offering tangible assistance.
“I am looking for ways to get out and tangibly help,” she added. “Please send me anything you find, and I will share the good ones.”
