Barack Obama leads emotional tribute to basketball legend Dikembe Mutombo who died at age 58

Former American President Barack Obama, along with other top personalities in the basketball and football worlds, have mourned the death of Congolese-American NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo.

Mutombo, an NBA Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA All-Star, died from brain cancer on Monday, September 30, 2024.

Obama, in his tribute post on X, underlined Mutombo's great talent, labelling him as one of the best defensive players of all time before highlighting how the deceased inspired many young Africans and also impacted athletes with their off-the-court influence.

"Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best-shot blockers and defensive players of all time. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their impact off the court. Michelle and I are thinking of Dikembe’s family and everyone who knew and loved him," the former US president wrote.

Former US President Bill Clinton also paid tribute to the NBA legend, acknowledging the latter's devotion to humanitarian work.

From the football world, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, who is half Congolese, also paid an emotional tribute to Dikembe Mutombo, recounting how the former Houston Rockets player inspired a generation in Congo.

"Today a legend has passed away. Dikembe Mutombo was a legend of the game in the NBA and a legend of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has inspired and given hope to an entire generation of young Congolese people all over the world. We grew up watching the NBA because of him. We took pride in our origins because of him. He showed us that we could dream big and be successful. He showed us to cherish our roots, not only in words but also in action. The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation does immense humanitarian work in the DRC, focusing on improving health and quality of life. He will be missed. My thoughts go out to his family and loved ones. RIP," he wrote.

Dikembe Mutombo was born in Kinshasa, Republic of Congo, in 1966 and died in Atlanta, United States of America, in 2024 at age 58.

He played 18 seasons in the NBA and was nicknamed "Mount Mutombo" for his outstanding defensive qualities. He is regarded as one of the best shot blockers of all time.

He played for six different teams in the NBA, including the Denver Nuggets, the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.

He was a two-time NBA rebound leader, three-time NBA blocks leader, three-time NBA All-Defensive team member, three-time NBA All-Defensive second team member, and four-time Defensive Player of the Year.

One of his paramount humanitarian works was building a $29 million modern hospital in Kinshasa. He named the 300-bed facility after his late mother, Biamba Marie Mutombo.

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Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best shot blockers and defensive players of all time. But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador changed the way athletes think about their…

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 30, 2024

My and Hillary’s statement on the passing of Dikembe Mutombo: pic.twitter.com/EJZYl2oQFI

— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) September 30, 2024

Today a legend has passed away. Dikembe Mutombo was a legend of the game in the NBA and a legend of the Democratic Republic of Congo. He has inspired and given hope to an entire generation of young Congolese people all over the world. We grew up watching the NBA, because of him.… pic.twitter.com/crgsnIhhie

— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) September 30, 2024

Remembering Dikembe Mutombo (1966-2024) pic.twitter.com/4z9ItuSNfn

— NBA (@NBA) October 1, 2024

"Hey, Mutombo. This one's for you baby."

— Michael Jordan pic.twitter.com/71KSVS9L07

— alex medina (@mrmedina) September 30, 2024