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.

B次元官网网址淒ikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,B次元官网网址� NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. B次元官网网址淥n 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.B次元官网网址�

Mutombo was distinctive in so many ways B次元官网网址� 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 Embiid, who was born in Cameroon, looked to Mutombo as an inspiration.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a sad day, especially for us Africans, and really the whole world,B次元官网网址� Embiid said Monday. B次元官网网址淥ther than what heB次元官网网址檚 accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court. HeB次元官网网址檚 one of the guys that I look up to, as far as having an impact, not just on the court, but off the court. HeB次元官网网址檚 done a lot of great things. He did a lot of great things for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine. It is a sad day.B次元官网网址�

Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 center out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, three-time All-NBA selection and went into the Hall of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for his career.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really hard to believe,B次元官网网址� Toronto President Masai Ujiri said Monday, pausing several times because he was overcome with emotion shortly after hearing the news of MutomboB次元官网网址檚 death. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 hard for us to be without that guy. You have no idea what Dikembe Mutombo meant to me. B次元官网网址� That guy, he made us who we are. That guy is a giant, an incredible person.B次元官网网址�

Mutombo last played during the 2008-09 season, devoting his time after retirement to charitable and humanitarian causes. He spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo.

Ryan Mutombo, the Hall of FamerB次元官网网址檚 son, said in a tribute posted on social media that his father B次元官网网址渓oved others with every ounce of his being.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淢y dad is my hero because he simply cared,B次元官网网址� Ryan Mutombo wrote. B次元官网网址淗e remains the purest heart I have ever known.B次元官网网址�

Mutombo served on the boards of many organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.

B次元官网网址淭here was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBAB次元官网网址檚 first Global Ambassador,B次元官网网址� Silver said. B次元官网网址淗e 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.B次元官网网址�

Mutombo is one of three players to win the NBAB次元官网网址檚 Defensive Player of the Year four times. The others: reigning DPOY winner Rudy Gobert of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Hall of Famer Ben Wallace.

B次元官网网址淗e was always there to talk to me and advise me on how to approach the season and take care of my body and icing after games and stretching and trying different things like yoga,B次元官网网址� Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said. B次元官网网址淗e will be always remembered and may his soul rest in peace.B次元官网网址�

Philadelphia 76ers president Daryl Morey B次元官网网址� who was with Mutombo for many seasons in Houston B次元官网网址� was informed of his friendB次元官网网址檚 death during the teamB次元官网网址檚 media day on Monday. Tears welled in MoreyB次元官网网址檚 eyes as he processed the news.

B次元官网网址淭here arenB次元官网网址檛 many guys like him,B次元官网网址� Morey said. B次元官网网址淛ust 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. B次元官网网址� His accomplishments on the court, we donB次元官网网址檛 need to talk about too much. Just an amazing human being, what he did off the court for Africa. Rest in peace, Dikembe.B次元官网网址�