NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutumbo has died at age 58 from brain cancer, the NBA announced Monday.

8-time NBA All-Star, Basketball Hall of Famer dies at 58

NBA legend and Basketball Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutumbo has died at age 58 from brain cancer, the NBA announced Monday.

Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutumbo has died, the NBA announced Monday. He was 58. Mutumbo died of brain cancer and was surrounded by family at the time of his death, according to a news release from the NBA. The 7-foot-2 center, who was known for wagging his finger at opponents after blocking their shots, was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2022. “Dikembe Mutumbo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement. “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.” RELATED: Mutumbo, a native of the Democratic Republic of Congo, played 18 seasons in the NBA from 1991 to 2009. The former Georgetown standout was drafted fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 NBA Draft. He played his first five seasons in Denver before also playing for the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, then-New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Houston Rockets. For his 18-year career, Mutumbo was an eight-time All-Star, six-time All-Defensive team honoree, four-time Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-NBA selection. He led the NBA in blocks three different seasons and twice led the league in rebounds. Mutumbo averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 30.5 minutes across 1,196 career games, including 997 starts. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.