Kevin Durant, NBA superstars react to tragic death of Dikembe Mutombo

The NBA world lost a unique athlete today in Dikembe Mutombo. At just 58 years old, Mutumbo tragically died of brain cancer. His death had an impact not only on his colleagues, but also on today’s NBA superstars.

Joel Embiid was one of the many NBA superstars to comment on Mutombo’s death, calling him a role model both off and on the court.

“It’s a sad day,” Joel Embiid said. “Especially for us Africans and really for the whole world. Aside from what he accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off the court. He’s one of the guys I look up to when it comes to making a difference.”

Kevin Durant revealed that while he wasn’t particularly close to Mutombo, his presence still lit up any room he was in. Mutombo was special enough as a person to be a light to others.

“Dikembe Mutombo was an iconic figure in the basketball world when I was growing up,” Durant said. “Then having the opportunity to play against him in the NBA, meeting him at different events and just seeing what kind of person he was. That showed that there are great people here, regardless of their status, no matter how successful you are, he’s still at it.” stayed true to who he was as a person… That’s a big loss when you see Dikembe ever met, he simply brightened up the entire room.

While Karl-Anthony Towns is still shaken over being traded to the New York Knicks, he still broke his silence on social media to pay tribute to Mutombo.

“Not only have we lost one of the greatest basketball players of all time, but we have also lost one of the greatest people we have ever seen,” Towns said. “Huge loss to the world and the NBA family. Rest in peace”

The loss of an NBA legend is a heartbreaking moment, but at just 58 years old, Dikembe Mutombo was far too young.