Today is the birthday of the late NBA legend and "African Mountain".
Mutombo was born in Congo, Africa on June 25, 1966. He was selected by the Nuggets with the fourth pick in the first round in the 1991 NBA draft. He played for the Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets in his career, playing in 1,196 games, averaging 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. Mutombo has been selected as the All-Star 8 times, 3 times the All-Defensive Team First Team, and 4 times the Defensive Player of the Year.
On April 22, 2009, Mutombo announced his retirement due to a knee injury. On April 7, 2015, Mutombo was officially selected for the Nai Smith Basketball Celebrity Memorial. On November 25, 2015, the Hawks retired Mutombo's No. 55 jersey. On October 30, 2016, the Nuggets retired Mutombo's No. 55 jersey. On September 30, 2024, NBA official news, Mutombo died of brain cancer at the age of 58.
Mutombo played 1,196 regular season games, averaging 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game; 101 playoff games, averaging 9.1 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.
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