Not only was Dikembe Mutombo a Hall of Famer and among the best shot-blockers the NBA has ever seen, but he was also a remarkable human being who stressed greatly on giving. Once set out to be a doctor, Mutombo was graced as the NBA’s first designated Global Ambassador. Though the tales of his philanthropic endeavors are rather extensive and have brought smiles to many faces, today those beings along with several others mourn the sudden demise of this great towering figure as he breathed his last. And among them was the ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith who expressed his heavy heart.

Smith said on the First Take show, “He was one of the best human beings you could meet.” Following this, Smith recalled Mutombo’s run with the 76ers. He said, “Billy King and Larry Brown ultimately pulled the trigger and brought Dikembe Mutombo to the Philadelphia 76ers and the Philadelphia 76ers ended up winning the Eastern Conference Crown.”

During the 2001 Playoffs, the 76ers defeated the Indiana Pacers in 4 games while also upsetting Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks in a 7-game series, respectively. To say that Mutombo was on fire would be an understatement, as in Game 7 against the Bucks, he scored 23 points, 19 rebounds, and blocked 7 shots to win the series. This is how Mutombo made it possible for the franchise to reach the NBA Finals. But, this is just one side of Mt. Mutombo.

Ending his tribute to the Legend, the 56-year-old added, “No matter what you know about him as a basketball player, he was an even better human being.” He also talked about how giving of a person Mutombo was away from the hardwood and what an incredible person he was.

Mutombo felt for the people greatly, and right from a young age, he wanted to extend a helping hand. Though during his childhood days, he would often find himself kicking a football or learning the tricks of martial arts, or gaining proficiency in many languages like French, Spanish, and five African dialects, he would still regularly and thoroughly attend the Bobota College in Kinshasa. The reason, you ask? This was to lay the groundwork for his medical classes, as the classes conducted in this College were of a rather advanced level.

With lots of ambition and zeal, Mutombo, at the young age of 21, then set out for the United States upon his father’s encouragement to enroll in College. He chose Georgetown University on a USAID scholarship. And the initial plan was to become a doctor, but as they say, life is never that predictable. That’s when the basketball coach of Georgetown, John Thompson, happened, and well, the rest is history.

And revisiting one fraction of that history was Smith today who was visibly shaken by the events that unfolded with the sudden passing of Mutombo at 58 owing to brain cancer. Being part of the NBA sports media since 1994, Smith has witnessed the best of the best come and go, but Mutombo was something else entirely.

Dikembe Mutombo’s NBA career deserves all the praise

Selected by the Denver Nuggets as the No. 4 overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, Dikembe Mutombo quickly became a force to be reckoned with. He led his team to one of the most unforgettable moments in NBA history. In 1994, he was vital to a historic playoff upset. The #8 seed Nuggets stunned the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics, marking the first time an eight-seed triumphed over a one-seed in NBA history.

His journey would include five impactful seasons with the Atlanta Hawks (1996-2000), followed by memorable stints with the Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets. Dikembe Mutombo’s dominance on the court was undeniable. He earned eight NBA All-Star selections and was on the All-NBA and NBA All-Defensive teams multiple times. His towering presence and defensive prowess helped change the game forever.

But Mutombo’s legacy extends far beyond basketball. Born in the Republic of Congo, his heart has always been with his people. Through his Mutombo Foundation, he gave life to a dream, building a $29 million hospital in his hometown of Kinshasa. This would be the first modern medical facility in the area in nearly 40 years.

His commitment to improving lives and growing the game of basketball globally has touched countless hearts. His life and legacy are a testament to what true greatness is. It is not by success on the court but by the lives, one lifts up along the way.