The Denver Nuggets have had the luxury of some of the best players in NBA history suiting up for the franchise.
The Nuggets have been a part of the NBA for 47 seasons, and in their time, the Nuggets basketball family has continued to grow. However, Denver’s basketball community took a hit following a loss to one of the organziations best players.
“Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at 58 years old due to brain cancer,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported on Monday.
Mutombo was diagnosed with brain cancer in October of 2022 and after nearly two years of fighting, the NBA legend passed away with his loved ones surrounding him.
The Georgetown product was drafted No. 4 overall in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Nuggets. The 7-foot-2 center averaged 12.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks across 391 games with Denver.
After his time in Denver, the big man suited up for multiple different teams including the Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, and the Houston Rockets.
The defensive standout achieved many honors across his 18-year career. Mutombo retired as an eight-time All-Star, four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and a two-time Rebounding Leader.
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