Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo reveals brain cancer diagnosis

Houston, Texas– Basketball Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo is being treated for a brain tumor in Atlanta, the NBA announced on Saturday.

Mutombo has been one of the NBA’s global ambassadors for years, recently appearing at Hall of Fame entrenching events in Springfield, Massachusetts and at two preseason games in Saitama, Japan.

In August, he appeared with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at an event in Congo, Mutombo’s home country.

“He is receiving the best possible care from a collaborative team of specialists in Atlanta and is in high spirits as he begins treatment,” Mutombo’s family said in a statement distributed by the NBA.

“Dikembe and his family are asking for privacy during this time so they can focus on his care. They are grateful for your prayers and good wishes.”

The family gave no further details, including the reason for the tumor’s discovery.

“We know he will approach this challenge with the same determination and determination that made him a legend on and off the field,” said Tony Ressler, the Atlanta Hawks’ principal owner.

The 56-year-old spent 18 seasons in the NBA, playing for Denver, Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia, New York and what was then the New Jersey Nets. An eight-time All-Star, four-time Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-NBA selection, the 7-foot-2 Georgetown center was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 with averaging 9.8 points and 10.3 rebounds per game his career.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.