Toronto Raptors president Masai Ujiri was left visibly shaken at the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s death Monday.
Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA All-Star Mutombo died at the age of 58 following a battle with brain cancer Monday.
As the news began to trickle through the basketball community during Monday’s NBA Media Day, Ujiri paid an emotional tribute to the icon.
‘Just heard the news about, um… I just heard the news about Dikembe Mutombo,’ a choked-up Ujiri said before having to take a moment to compose himself.
The loss appeared to hit Ujiri on a personal level as he reminisced on Mutombo’s legacy.
Masai Ujiri (pictured) was left visibly shaken at the news of Dikembe Mutombo’s death
Hall of Famer and eight-time NBA All-Star Mutombo died at the age of 58 Monday
‘He made us who we are,’ Ujiri said, still grappling with the loss with the emotion in his voice clear.
‘That guy is a giant. Incredible person. Who are we without Dikembe Mutombo? Not possible.’
Mutombo, who grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo but moved to America at the age of 21, was selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 Draft.
He went on to play for the Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets in a stellar career, before retiring in 2009.
Mutombo revealed in October 2022 that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, with a statement from the NBA asking for privacy for him and his family.
The 7-foot-2 center is survived by his wife Rose and three children: Carrie, JJ and Ryan – who plays college basketball for Georgia Tech.
The news of his death was announced in a statement by the NBA on Monday morning, whose commissioner Adam Silver said: ‘Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life.
‘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.
‘There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core.
As the news broke during Monday’s NBA Media Day, Ujiri paid an emotional tribute to the icon
The Toronto Raptors president had to take a moment to compose himself as he spoke
‘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.
‘I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.’
Mutombo was notorious for his blocks, and became famous for his finger-wagging celebration to the opponent after denying them a scoring opportunity.
He signed a deal with Adidas in 1992 during his rookie contract and had a signature shoe that rivaled Nike and Michael Jordan.
In one commercial for his shoe, he took a jab at Jordan and told the camera: ‘Man does not fly in the house of Mutombo.’ In 2013, the Adidas Mutombo was released as a retro shoe and quickly sold out.
Aside from his talents on the basketball court, Mutombo was also widely hailed for his charity work away from it.
Mutombo played for six teams during an impressive NBA career, and was an eight-time All-Star
Mutombo poses with his wife Rose and two sons, JJ and Ryan, at a gala in Atlanta in 2012
He once flew an eight-year-old child from the Congo to the US and paid for surgery to remove his tumor.
He and his wife Rose also adopted four children of her deceased brother, per the Chicago Tribune .
In 2015, the Atlanta Hawks retired Mutombo’s No 55 jersey, and the Denver Nuggets did the same a year later.
He was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2015.