We remember former Denver Nuggets star Dikembe Mutombo, an outstanding figure of basketball and humanity

As sports fans continue to grapple with Dikembe Mutombo’s recent death from brain cancer at the age of 58, many remember him as more than just a basketball star who famously led the Denver Nuggets for several successful seasons. He is also portrayed as a humanitarian who loves helping others.

During a recent Colorado Matters interview with host Chandra Thomas Whitfield, Marc Spears, a senior NBA writer for ESPN and Andscape who covered the Nuggets for The Denver Post, provided insight into the person behind the finger-wagging that was later famously immortalized in the Geico insurance ad.

Justin Adams, a Denver-based CBS Colorado sportswriter who grew up watching Mutombo games on TV, also joined the conversation, reflecting on Mutombo’s life and legacy.

The 6-foot-7 basketball icon was a larger-than-life figure who spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for six teams, including five franchise-changing seasons with the Denver Nuggets. He definitely left his mark on the court, but both Spears and Adams agree that his legacy goes far beyond basketball. His life, shaped by a true connection with people and a deep sense of giving, resonates with fans and communities around the world.

“He had the biggest heart,” Spears recalled. “He came to the United States in 1987 and had a USAID scholarship; he just wanted to become a doctor. That was his initial hope, not (to become) a basketball player. And if you want to become a doctor, you are certainly a person who cares about making the world a better place and making people better.”

A gentle giant

Despite his imposing stature, Spears described Mutombo as a gentle and warm person. “He always made you feel like you were as tall as he was,” recalled Spears, himself a 6-foot-7 man. His approachable demeanor and willingness to connect with fans created a lasting bond, he said. In the public arena, Mutombo has never shied away from his celebrity status, instead taking advantage of the opportunity to connect with fans.

Spears observed one such incident while he was at the airport preparing to board Mutombo’s flight.

“Everyone wanted a photo, a video or a finger wagging, and he obliged everyone,” Spears said.

Unlike many athletes who can tire of the constant attention from fans, Mutombo seemed to genuinely enjoy the love and admiration he was receiving.

African heritage

Mutombo’s influence was not limited to the cities in which he played. Spears said Mutombo’s efforts to improve health care in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are a testament to his enduring commitment to humanity. Inspired by the loss of his mother, who died due to inadequate medical care, Mutombo helped build a hospital in Kinshasa, the capital of his homeland. The hospital provides basic medical services that were previously unavailable. Before construction, Congolese citizens had to travel to India or South Africa to obtain key services such as MRIs.

Courtesy of Marc Spears

Spears emphasized the hospital’s transformative impact: “It has probably saved millions of lives over the last 20 years,” he said of Mutombo’s selflessness and determination to bring change to his homeland. Mutombo also founded a school in his hometown and became a driving force behind the NBA’s outreach efforts in Africa, including Basketball Without Borders and the African Basketball League.

Global ambassador

In 1994, then-NBA commissioner David Stern reached out to Mutombo to help expand the league’s global reach, appointing him the first NBA Global Ambassador. Mutombo’s passion for the game and his place of birth have played a key role in promoting basketball on all continents, especially Africa. His role in supporting the development of African basketball talent cannot be overemphasized, as he helped lay the foundation for initiatives that brought many African players to the NBA.

Today, young African athletes inspired by Mutombo’s path continue to make their mark on sports, Spears said. The Basketball Africa League, now in its fourth season, celebrates his vision of basketball’s potential on the continent. Players like Jonathan Kuminga of the Golden State Warriors, who hails from Mutombo’s native Congo, are among those carrying on his legacy.

Mutombo’s death from cancer caused a wave of grief in the basketball world and beyond. However, both Spears and Adams said his influence is still felt, especially among African players who saw him as a mentor and role model. As Spears noted, Mutombo was the “Godfather of African Basketball,” a title that speaks to the respect and admiration he earned from players around the world.

Denver Nuggets star

Mutombo’s contributions to the NBA are equally significant. Known for his shot-blocking antics, he probably ranks second all-time in blocks, behind only African American Hakeem Olajuwon, Spears said. His famous finger wave after a blocked shot became a cult favorite, beloved by fans and players alike, and was later immortalized in Geico commercials.

For the Denver Nuggets, Mutombo’s role in the 1994 playoffs remains legendary. In one of the biggest upsets in NBA history, the eighth-seeded Nuggets defeated the top-seeded Seattle SuperSonics in the first round. An unforgettable image from this series is Mutombo lying on the floor, holding a basketball above his head in pure joy after the final buzzer sounds. It was a moment that Mutombo will forever remember in the hearts of Denver sports fans.

Inspiration for the next generation

Adams also mentioned his influence and professional skills.

“You knew that when you had a guy like Dikembe Mutombo in your lineup, you always had a chance to win,” he said. As Adams noted, to young fans, Mutombo was not just a basketball player; he was a symbol of excellence and integrity, both on and off the field.

Courtesy of Justin Adams

Adams, like many fans, said he was impressed by how Mutombo transcended sports, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met. “He wanted to make memories count,” Adams said, recalling how Mutombo joyfully interacted with his fans around the world.

Lasting impact

Spears added that Mutombo’s reach has also expanded into the business world. His coffee company, Mutombo Coffee, supports women coffee farmers in Africa and Latin America, demonstrating its commitment to uplifting disadvantaged groups.

Although his basketball career spanned 18 seasons, Adams and Spears agree that Mutombo’s legacy will forever be measured by his contributions to humanity.

“He had a nickname called Mount Mutombo because of his height and all that, but I just, of course, the mountain just stands tall and he excelled in everything he did,” Spears said. “Everything was at a different height than most; whether it was the game of basketball, or the way he treated people, or the way he made the world a better place; or the way it bridged the gap between Africa and America. He was Mount Mutombo. He stood straight.