Former US President Barack Obama paid tribute to Dikembe Mutombo, the former basketball player and NBA star who died at the age of 58. In a post through his X account, Obama noted that Mutombo was an “unbelievable player in basketball” and praised his impact on the court.
“Dikembe Mutombo was an incredible basketball player – one of the best shot blockers and defenders of all time,” Obama said.
He then added: “But he also inspired a generation of young people across Africa, and his work as the NBA’s first global ambassador has changed the way athletes see their impact on the court.”
In addition, he also offered his condolences to the biological family of Mutombo Dikembe and all those who knew and loved him.
“Michelle and I are thinking of Dikembe’s family and everyone who knew and loved him,” he said.
Mutombo, who played for the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets, died Tuesday after a long battle with cancer. During his career, he won Defensive Player of the Year four times and was selected to the NBA All-Star Game eight times.
Obama’s tribute to Mutombo is a testimony of the esteem in which the basketball player is held by world leaders and sports figures, he who is also an ambassador of the NBA in Africa, where he works to promote the development of basketball and provide and humanitarian aid.
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