NBA fans were left in despair when the news broke about NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo. According to NBA insider Shams Charania, 56-year-old legend Dikembe Mutombo will be undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. The NBA issued the statement on behalf of Mutombo and his family.?

And since then, fans have come together to pray for the legend. Mutombo has been the NBA?s global ambassador for a couple of years.?He also appeared in a couple of pre-season games in Saitama, Japan. Most recently, Mutombo was seen with the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Congo, where Mutombo resides from.

NBA world sends its prayers for Dikembe Mutombo

Blinken took the time to thank Mutombo for all the work he has been doing in Congo and Africa. Mutombo was working on building the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital for those in need.?

Mutombo is known for his charitable and humanitarian work ever since he retired from the NBA. He played for 18 seasons in the NBA with six different teams. Listed at 7?2″, Mutombo was a defensive juggernaut for his respective teams. And there was rarely anyone who could get their shot over the towering Mutombo.

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The NBA world came together on Twitter to wish him the best and a speedy recovery. Here are some of the reactions to the news from NBA Twitter:?

Mutombo was famous for his finger wag gesture after blocking the shots of his opponents in the paint. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award four times during his career.

The Mutombo family releases a statement

The eight-time All-Star was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

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Since the news came out, his family released a statement to the NBA saying, “He is receiving the best care possible from a collaborative team of specialists in Atlanta and is in great spirits as he begins treatment. Dikembe and his family ask for privacy during this time so they can focus on his care. They are grateful for your prayers and good wishes.”

What is your favorite memory of Dikembe Mutombo? Let us know in the comments below.