Basketball Corridor of Famer Dikembe Mutombo is present process remedy in Atlanta for a mind tumor, the NBA introduced Saturday.
Mutombo has been one of many NBA’s world ambassadors for years, and not too long ago appeared at Corridor of Fame enshrinement occasions in Springfield, Massachusetts and a pair of preseason video games in Saitama, Japan.
He additionally appeared with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken at an occasion within the Congo, Mutombo’s native nation, in August.
“He’s receiving the perfect care attainable from a collaborative staff of specialists in Atlanta and is in nice spirits as he begins remedy,” Mutombo’s household mentioned in a press release distributed by the NBA. “Dikembe and his household ask for privateness throughout this time to allow them to give attention to his care. They’re grateful to your prayers and good needs.”
The household didn’t launch some other particulars, together with what prompted the tumor being found.
The 56-year-old Mutombo spent 18 seasons within the NBA, enjoying for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 middle out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, four-time defensive participant of the yr, three-time All-NBA choice and went into the Corridor of Fame in 2015.
Mutombo final performed through the 2008-09 season and has labored extensively for charitable and humanitarian causes since. Blinken lauded him when the pair have been collectively within the Congo, telling Mutombo “you’ve carried out a lot to deliver the world collectively.”
Mutombo speaks 9 languages and based the Dikembe Mutombo Basis in 1997, concentrating on bettering well being, training and high quality of life for the individuals within the Congo. His basis led the constructing of a 170-bed hospital in Kinshasa, the capital metropolis, and that facility has handled almost a half-million individuals no matter their means to pay for care.
He additionally has served on the boards of many organizations, together with Particular Olympics Worldwide, the CDC Basis and the Nationwide Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.
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