In memory of former Denver Nuggets star Dikembe Mutombo, a towering figure in basketball and humanity

As sports fans continue to grapple with the recent death of Dikembe Mutombo from brain cancer at the age of 58, many remember him as more than a star basketball player who famously led the Denver Nuggets through several successful seasons. He is also heralded as a humanitarian who loved helping others.

During a recent interview on Colorado Matters with host Chandra Thomas Whitfield, Marc Spears, a senior NBA writer for ESPN and Andscape who covered the Nuggets for The Denver Post, offered insight into the man behind the finger-wagging that was later famously immortalized in Geico insurance commercials.

Justin Adams, a Denver native and sportswriter for CBS Colorado who grew up watching Mutombo on television, also joined the conversation and reflected on Mutombo’s life and legacy.

The towering 8-foot-4 basketball icon was a larger-than-life figure who spent eighteen seasons in the NBA and played for a half-dozen teams, including five franchise-altering seasons with the Denver Nuggets. He certainly made his mark on the court, but both Spears and Adams agree that his legacy extends far beyond just basketball. His life, shaped by a genuine connection with people and a deep sense of giving back, resonates with fans and communities around the world.

“He had the biggest heart,” Spears recalled. “He came to the US in 1987 on a USAID grant; he just wanted to be a doctor. That was his initial hope: not (to become) a basketball player. And if you want to become a doctor, you are certainly someone who wants to make the world a better place, make people better.”

A gentle giant

Despite his imposing stature, Spears described Mutombo as a gentle and warm person. “He always made you feel like you were as tall as him,” recalls Spears, himself a 6-foot-4 man. The NBA Hall of Famer’s approachable demeanor and willingness to interact with fans created a lasting bond, he said. Mutombo never shied away from his celebrity status, instead embracing the opportunity to connect with fans.

One such instance that Spears observed was when he was at an airport preparing to board a Mutombo flight.

“Everyone wanted a photo, a video or a swipe of the finger, and he obliged everyone,” Spears said.

Unlike many athletes, who may become fatigued by the constant attention from fans, Mutombo seemed to genuinely enjoy the love and admiration he received.

African heritage

Mutombo’s impact was not limited to the cities where he played. Spears said Mutombo’s efforts to advance healthcare in his native country, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), are a testament to his enduring commitment to humanity. Inspired by the loss of his mother, who died from inadequate medical care, Mutombo helped build a hospital in Kinshasa, the capital of his native country. The hospital provides essential medical services that were previously inaccessible. Before construction, Congolese citizens had to travel to India or South Africa for critical services such as MRIs.

Thanks to Marc Spears

Spears emphasized the hospital’s transformative impact: “It’s probably saved millions of lives over the last 20 years,” he said of Mutombo’s selflessness and determination to bring change to his home country. Mutombo also founded a school in his hometown and became a driving force behind the NBA’s outreach efforts in Africa, including Basketball Without Borders and the Basketball Africa League.

A global ambassador

In 1994, then-NBA Commissioner David Stern tapped Mutombo to help expand the league’s global footprint, naming him the NBA’s first global ambassador. Mutombo’s passion for the game and his birthplace played an important role in promoting basketball on all continents, especially in Africa. His role in promoting the development of African basketball talent cannot be overstated as he helped lay the foundation for initiatives that have brought many African players to the NBA.

Today, young African athletes inspired by Mutombo’s path continue to make their mark in the sport, Spears said. Now in its fourth season, the Basketball Africa League is a tribute to his vision of the continent’s basketball potential. Players like Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, who hail from Mutombo’s native Congo, are among those carrying on his legacy.

Mutombo’s death from cancer has led to an outpouring of grief from the basketball world and beyond. However, both Spears and Adams said his influence is still felt, especially among African players who saw him as a mentor and role model. As Spears noted, Mutombo was “the godfather of African basketball,” a title that speaks to the respect and admiration he earned from players around the world.

A Denver Nuggets star

Mutombo’s contributions to the NBA are equally remarkable. Known for his shot-blocking antics, he may rank second all-time in blocks, behind only fellow countryman Hakeem Olajuwon, Spears said. His famous finger flick after a blocked shot became an iconic celebration, beloved by fans and players alike, later immortalized in those Geico commercials.

For the Denver Nuggets, Mutombo’s role in the 1994 playoffs remains legendary. In one of the biggest upsets in NBA history, the eighth-seeded Nuggets defeated the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. The lasting image from that series is of Mutombo lying on the ground, holding the basketball above his head in pure joy after the final buzzer sounded. It was a moment that Mutombo forever etched in the hearts of Denver sports fans.

Inspiration for the next generation

Adams also chimed in with his influence and professional ability.

“You knew that if you had a man like Dikembe Mutombo in your squad you always had a chance of winning,” he said. To young fans, Adams noted, Mutombo wasn’t just a basketball player; he was a symbol of excellence and integrity both on and off the field.

Thanks to Justin Adams

Adams, like many fans, said he was struck by the way Mutombo transcended the sport and left an indelible impression on everyone he encountered. “He wanted to make memories count,” Adams said, recalling how Mutombo happily interacted with his fans around the world.

A lasting impact

Spears added that Mutombo’s reach has also expanded into the business world. His coffee company, Mutombo Coffee, supports women coffee farmers in Africa and Latin America, demonstrating his commitment to uplifting disadvantaged groups.

Although his basketball career spanned eighteen seasons, Adams and Spears agree that Mutombo’s legacy will forever be measured by his contributions to humanity.

“He had a nickname, Mount Mutombo, which was because of his height and everything, but I’m just a mountain that just stands tall, and he stood tall in everything he did,” Spears said. “Everything was at a different height than most; whether it was basketball, the way he treated people or the way he made the world a better place; or the way he bridged the gap from Africa to America. He was Mount Mutombo. He stood tall.”