Legendary former basketball player Dikembe Mutombo passed away on Monday at the age of 58 due to brain cancer, which he had been battling for two years, the NBA announced.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “On the court, he was one of the best shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. Off the court, he dedicated his heart and soul to helping others.”

“The indomitable spirit of Dikembe lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life,” Silver added.

A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, the Congolese center played 18 seasons in the NBA, where he was known for his dominant defensive presence.

Mutombo ranks as the second-highest shot blocker in NBA history with 3,289 blocks, trailing only fellow African legend Hakeem Olajuwon (3,830).

Throughout his NBA career (1991–2009), Mutombo played for six teams: the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.

He was selected to the NBA All-Star Game eight times and won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times.

After retiring from professional basketball, Mutombo devoted much of his time to charitable work and social causes.

In October 2022, he revealed that he had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and had begun treatment.