NBA star Dikembe Mutombo has passed away at the age of 58 after suffering from a brain tumor for almost two years. The basketball legend is recognized as one of the best defenders ever in the game, famous for his finger-wag move that represented a “not-on-my-watch” gesture. Over the span of 18 seasons in the NBA, Mutombo earned a huge net worth from his salary and endorsement deals.
Mutombo’s 7’2″ height was valuable for multiple NBA teams who signed him on for deals worth millions of dollars. His net worth doesn’t even paint a picture of what he actually earned during his career from 1991-2009. He was one of those rivals whom basketball legend Michael Jordan hugely respected.
Dikembe Mutombo’s Humongous Salary In The NBA Was Not Reflected In His Net Worth
With remarkable defensive skills, Dikembe Mutombo was one of the best centers in the history of the NBA. Mutombo initially dreamed of a career in medicine when he was back in his home country the Democratic Republic of Congo. However, when he arrived at Georgetown University on a USAID scholarship, he turned his attention to basketball.
Coach John Thompson put him in the Georgetown Hoyas, where he earned the Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 1990 and ’91. In the 1991 NBA Draft, he was picked up by the Denver Nuggets, His performance in his rookie season earned him an All-Star selection. He helped the Nuggets to reach the playoffs in 1994.
His five-year career with the Nuggets made him a star and he moved to the Atlanta Hawks in 1996. The five-year deal earned him $56 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He later played for the Philadelphia 76ers where he struck a four-year deal for $65 million.
During the peak of his career in 2001-2002, Mutombo landed his highest paycheck in the NBA. For that particular season with the 76ers, Mutombo was paid a hefty sum of $16.25 million. In 2001, Mutombo helped the Philadelphia 76ers to reach the NBA finals. Mutombo also changed teams between the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, and Houston Rockets before his retirement in 2009.
Throughout his career, Mutombo was paid $143 million in salary alone. It was not just the NBA that paid handsomely to the actor. Brands were happy to pay him millions for endorsements. Mutombo got paid for commercials even after a decade into his retirement. These earnings contributed to his overall net worth of $75 million.
Dikembe Mutombo Has Passed Away At 58 From Brain Cancer
Dikembe Mutombo has passed away due to brain cancer on September 30, 2024. His son Ryan Mutombo wrote on social media, “My dad is my hero because he simply cared. He remains the purest heart I’ve ever known” (via SportsCenter). Mutombo was diagnosed with a brain tumor two years ago and was under treatment in Atlanta, USA.
Mutombo leaves behind his wife, Rose, and seven children. Following the death of the legend, an old video of Michael Jordan and Mutombo having a fun argument before an NBA All-Star game went viral (via Sports Illustrated). Mutombo was also known for his humanitarian work.
He established the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which helped the opening of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital. The $29-million facility in Kinshasa included 300 beds and modern facilities. He also participated in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program, working to build infrastructure in Africa.