The Hall-of-Famer played 18 seasons in the NBA, including for the Houston Rockets, and won Defensive Player of the Year four times.
In a press release on Monday morning, Silver said Mutombo, who also served as an NBA Global Ambassador, died from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family.
“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” Silver said. “On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others.”
Mutombo played 18 seasons in the NBA, including for the Houston Rockets, and was known for his defensive play, winning the Defensive Player of the Year Award four times. He was second all-time on the shots blocked list behind another former Rockets legend and Hall-of-Famer Hakeem Olajuwon.
The 7-foot-2 center was an eight-time All-Star, four-time defensive player of the …