Dikembe Mutombo's son, Ryan, shares heartbreaking tribute after NBA Hall of Famer dies at 58 after brain cancer battle

The son of Dikembe Mutombo - rising basketball star Ryan Mutombo - has released a heartbreaking tribute to his late father following his 'hero's' death at just 58.

The NBA Hall of Famer and eight-time All-Star tragically lost his battle with brain cancer on Monday.

The 7-foot-2 former center is survived by his wife Rose and three children: Carrie, JJ and Ryan - who plays college basketball for Georgia Tech. 

The senior posted a statement on social media following the death of his father, 'the purest heart I have ever known'.

'My dad will forever be my hero. Not because of his success - not because of the millions who, over the last four decades, have come to know and love him,' Ryan wrote. 

'My dad is my hero because he simply cared. He remains the purest heart I have ever known.

'At times, I thought of my dad as a super-human. The child in me would sigh to hear that this was never actually the case.

'My dad was a regular man who would stop at no lengths to honor the world, its people, and its creator. He loved others with every ounce of his being. That's what made him so accessible. That's what made him real.

'Dikembe Mutombo was salt and light, and today, on the 30th of September, 2024, he has been called to rest. I love you, Dad. Rest easy.'

Mutombo grew up in the Democratic Republic of the Congo before moving to America at the age of 21.

He was selected fourth overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1991 Draft. He went on to play for the Nuggets, Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets.

Mutombo revealed in October 2022 that he was undergoing treatment for a brain tumor, with a statement from the NBA asking for privacy for him and his family.

Stephen A. Smith was among those to hail Mutombo following his death, with the ESPN analyst branding him 'one of the best human beings you could ever possibly meet'.

'No matter what you know about him as a basketball player, he was an even better human being. Always about giving, always about helping the Democratic Republic of Congo along with being an humanitarian for the world.

'His heart was just huge... one of the most beautiful human beings I've ever known.'

The news of his death was announced in a statement by the NBA on Monday morning, with commissioner Adam Silver claiming: 'Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. 

'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.'

Mutombo once flew an eight-year-old child from the Congo to the US and paid for surgery to remove his tumor. He and Rose also adopted four children of her deceased brother, according to the Chicago Tribune .

In 2015, the Atlanta Hawks retired Mutombo's No 55 jersey, and the Denver Nuggets did the same a year later.

He was also inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in September 2015.

In a statement, the Rockets said: 'His fun-loving personality and trademark finger-wagging endeared him to fans around the world, but Dikembe’s true impact was his passion for helping others. Our condolences go out to his loving family and friends.'