Hall of Fame center Dikembe Mutombo, renowned as one of basketball’s most dominant shot blockers, has passed away at the age of 58 after battling brain cancer, the NBA announced on Monday.
Mutombo recorded 3,289 blocked shots, the second-highest in NBA history, during his illustrious career, which saw him play for teams such as the Denver Nuggets, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and Houston Rockets.
Known for his signature finger wag after rejecting a shot, Mutombo sent a clear message to opponents: challenging his 7-foot-2 reach was a mistake.
In addition to his legendary NBA career from 1991 to 2009, younger fans were reintroduced to his iconic finger wag through a popular Geico car insurance ad that humorously showcased his blocks and playful taunts.
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