NEW YORK – The NBA has announced that global ambassador and Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo died at the age of 58 from brain cancer. He was surrounded by his family, according to the league. 

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement, posted on social media. 

“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.”

“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years – with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.”

RELATED: Millennials, Gen Xers face higher risk of 17 cancers than previous generations, study says

According to FOX News, Mutombo started receiving treatment for cancer in 2022. 

Mutombo spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and the then-New Jersey Nets. The 7-foot-2 center out of Georgetown was an eight-time All-Star, four-time defensive player of the year, three-time All-NBA selection and went into the Hall of Fame in 2015 after averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game for his career.

Mutombo played college basketball at Georgetown, was an eight-time NBA All-Star and was named defensive player of the year four times.

RELATED: Honeybees can detect lung cancer, researchers say

His signature finger wag was commonly seen after he blocked a shot attempt.

Mutombo spoke nine languages and founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation in 1997, concentrating on improving health, education and quality of life for the people in the Congo.

He also served on the boards of many organizations, including Special Olympics International, the CDC Foundation and the National Board for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.