Dikembe Mutombo, a celebrated member of the Basketball Hall of Fame who had an 18-year NBA career and became an important global ambassador for the sport post-retirement, has passed away from brain cancer, as confirmed by the NBA on Monday.

He was 58 years old.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver remarked in a statement, “Dikembe Mutombo was truly larger than life. He was one of the finest shot blockers and defenders in NBA history. Beyond basketball, he dedicated his efforts to helping others.”

The towering 7-foot-2 center was chosen as the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. He swiftly made a mark in the league, averaging 16.6 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, ultimately finishing as the runner-up for the rookie of the year accolade in 1992.

Throughout his career, Mutombo played for six teams, accumulating eight All-Star titles and earning spots on three All-NBA teams.

He was especially recognized for his shot-blocking prowess, leading the league in blocks for three successive seasons from 1994 to 1996 and winning the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award four times.

Originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mutombo moved to the U.S. to play college basketball at Georgetown University under the legendary coach John Thompson.

He spent the initial five years of his NBA career with the Nuggets before becoming a free agent and signing with the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. His subsequent teams included the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and he concluded his career with the Houston Rockets.

Mutombo announced his retirement after the 2008-09 season, finishing with a total of 11,729 points (averaging 9.8 points per game) and 12,359 rebounds (averaging 10.3 rebounds per game).

In 2015, he was honored by being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Post his playing days, the NBA appointed Mutombo as its first-ever Global Ambassador, a role in which he significantly promoted basketball worldwide, particularly in African nations.

<p”Adam Silver added, “His humanitarian spirit was at the core of who he was. He was passionate about leveraging the power of basketball to positively influence communities, especially in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and across Africa.”

Besides his charitable efforts, Mutombo was known for his unique humor, both on and off the court. His iconic finger wag became famous through a notable GEICO insurance commercial where he humorously showcased his shot-blocking talent in everyday situations.

In 2022, Mutombo disclosed that he was receiving treatment in Atlanta for a brain tumor.

(This story has been updated with additional details.)