By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Today, one NBA icon left this heart: Dikembe Mutombo passed away at 58, leaving a gap in a lot of basketball enthusiasts’ hearts. Joel Embiid was no exception.
In the Philadelphia 76ers‘ Media Day ahead of the 2024-25 season, the Cameroonian-born center commented on the sad news. “I just heard about it, my condolences to his family. It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans and really the whole world, because other than what he has accomplished on the basketball court, I think he was even better off her court”, he said.
Joel Embiid followed by adding to Mutombo’s legacy off the court. “He’s one of the guys I looked up to, as far as how he had an impact not just on the court. He did a lot of great things off the court for a lot of people. He was a role model of mine. It’s a sad day”, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ center also said.
Alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Dikembe Mutombo, Joel Embiid has turned into one of the greatest African centers of all time in the NBA.
Joel Embiid on the passing of Dikembe Mutombo:
“It’s a sad day, especially for us Africans.” pic.twitter.com/9WqzAVs2DF
— Sam DiGiovanni (@BySamDiGiovanni) September 30, 2024
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images