The news was confirmed by the league. The 56-year-old athlete is being treated in Atlanta.
A worrying news crosses the world of basketball. This Saturday, the NBA reported that Dikembe Mutomboa former sports star and legend, have a brain tumor.
This was reported from the North American league through a statement in which they provided details about the health status of the 58-year-old basketball player who has his place in the renowned Hall of Fame.
“Dikembe Mutombo is currently undergoing treatment for a brain tumor. He is receiving the best possible care from a joint team of specialists in Atlanta and is in good spirits,” the NBA said in the document issued on behalf of Mutombo and his family.
In it they remarked that who was one of the best defensive players in league history is focused on carrying out the treatment and coping with the disease as best as possible.
In this sense, the statement concluded: “Dikembe and his family ask for privacy during this time so they can focus on their care. They appreciate your prayers and good wishes,” they closed in the text.
The news was shared by the NBA on its Twitter account and the reaction of the fans was immediate.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver quickly sent a message of encouragement to one of Africa’s first basketball greats: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Dikembe, one of the world’s great humanitarians.”
A few minutes after the news was released, dozens of users echoed it and filled the publication with messages wishing the player a speedy recovery.
“Please keep Dikembe and the Mutombo family in your prayers,” former Knicks icon Patrick Ewing, with whom he had numerous battles with in the 1990s, wrote on Twitter.
Pau Gasol, former Spanish center, said: “Praying for a full and speedy recovery, dear Dikembe. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”
Mutombo earned his place in the world of basketball after playing 18 seasons in the NBA, in which he stood out for the Atlanta Hawks in five of them. Also, was recognized four times with the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Among other achievements, the former pivot he was selected eight times for the All-Star Game and entered the Hall of Fame in 2015 basketball for a career in which he averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game.
He is the second player with the most caps in the history of the best league in the world, only behind Hakeem Olajuwon. It was his trademark, to the point that he made famous his characteristic negative gesture with the index finger of his right hand whenever he blocked an opponent. He led that category in 1994, 1995 and 1996. He was also the leading rebounder in 2000 and 2001.
He played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia Sixers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
On the other hand, Mutombo was the guest of stone in one of the most remembered plays of Michael Jordan. The Chicago Bulls star, after converting a free throw, before taking the second, looked at the Denver Nuggets center and snapped “Hey Mutombo, this one is for you, baby.” He closed his eyes, shot and converted.
With information from agencies
DB
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Basketball Pain: Former NBA Star Dikembe Mutombo Suffers From Brain Tumor