Dikembe Mutombo, a famous NBA player known for his incredible shot-blocking skills and kind humanitarian work, has died at the age of 58. The news was announced on the NBA’s social media account.
Mutombo, who was in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and served as the NBA’s Global Ambassador, passed away after fighting brain cancer. His family was with him when he died, according to a post on the NBA’s official Twitter account on September 30.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared a touching statement about Mutombo, praising his impact on the game and in the community. “Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life,” Silver said.
He also mentioned Mutombo’s success as one of the best shot blockers and defensive players in NBA history. “Off the court, he dedicated his time to helping others,” Silver added.
Silver talked about Mutombo’s work as the NBA’s first Global Ambassador and his humanitarian efforts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and throughout Africa. “I traveled the world with Dikembe and saw how his kindness and generosity uplifted people,” he noted.
Silver remembered Mutombo as always being friendly at NBA events, with his big smile, deep voice, and famous finger wag, which made him loved by basketball fans of all ages.
He expressed his condolences to Mutombo’s family, friends, and the global basketball community, emphasizing how much he was loved.
“Dikembe’s strong spirit lives on in those he helped and inspired throughout his amazing life. I am one of the many people whose lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart, and I will miss him dearly,” Silver reflected.
Mutombo was not just a star athlete but also a loving husband to Rose and a proud father to their three children: Jean Jacques, Carrie, and Ryan.
He often expressed his love for Rose on social media. In a post for their 27th wedding anniversary in June 2021, he wrote, “We have been through so much together; good times and bad. We cherish all that we share. Life has taken us on many journeys, but you have always been with me through it all. Love always [sic].”
Mutombo also shared many travel experiences with Rose. In October 2022, he posted about their trip to Japan, saying, “Last week in Tokyo, Rose & I had a chance to visit the Garden of the Imperial Palace.” This would be his last post with his wife.
As a father, Mutombo often shared his pride in his children. In a Father’s Day post on Instagram in June 2022, he wrote, “Our children are our whole life and that causes a lot of admiration.”
He also shared a heartfelt message to other fathers: “I wish you spend a nice day with them. Keep showing them the good way to follow by being a great father. Happy Father’s Day to dads everywhere.”
After his father’s passing, Ryan shared an emotional tribute on his private Instagram account. He called his father his “hero,” not for his fame but for his genuine kindness. “He remains the purest heart I have ever known,” Ryan said.
Ryan described his father, saying, “At times, I thought of my dad as super-human. The child in me would sigh to hear that this was never actually the case. My dad was a regular man who would do anything to honor the world, its people, and its creator. He loved others with every ounce of his being. That’s what made him so real.”
Mutombo’s commitment to family, faith, and community was a key part of his life. On his 56th birthday in 2022, he shared a message of gratitude: “Dear Lord, I thank you for giving me the chance to wish myself a happy birthday in good health and happiness. I pray for my family and friends that You will continue to grant me blessings of love and joy all my life. Amen. Happy birthday to me [sic].”
Dikembe Mutombo’s death at 58 is a huge loss for basketball and humanitarian efforts. He inspired many as the NBA’s Global Ambassador. His legacy of love, kindness, and family will continue to inspire future generations.
My Neighbor Didn’t Pay Me the $250 We Agreed on for Cleaning Her House — So I Gave Her a Fair Lesson
“Don’t stay out too late. And remember, homework first when you get back,” I called after him as he stormed out the door, not waiting for my reply.
It was just another day in the life I’d been patching together since Silas left. Balancing the responsibilities of raising two kids alone while trying to keep a roof over our heads wasn’t easy.
My work at the call center helped, but it wasn’t exactly my dream job. It was a job, though, and in times like these, that’s all that mattered.
That’s when Emery, the new neighbor in her early 30s, knocked on my door. I opened it to see her, eyes red-rimmed, looking like she hadn’t slept in days.
“Hey, Prudence, can I ask you for a huge favor?” she said, her voice cracking slightly.
I nodded, stepping aside to let her in. “Sure, Emery. What’s going on?”
She sighed, sinking into the couch like she was about to collapse. “I had this crazy party last night, and then I got called out of town for work. The place is a disaster, and I don’t have time to clean it up. Could you, um, help me out? I’ll pay you, of course.”
I hesitated, glancing at the clock. My shift was due to start in a couple of hours, but the idea of earning some extra cash was tempting. Lord knows we could use it.
“How much are we talking about?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.
“Two hundred and fifty dollars,” she said quickly. “I just really need the help, Prudence. I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t an emergency.”
“Alright,” I agreed after a moment. “I’ll do it.”
“Thank you so much! You’re a lifesaver!” Emery hugged me quickly before rushing out, leaving me to wonder what I’d just signed up for.
Emery’s house was a wreck, and that’s putting it mildly. It looked like a tornado had blown through it, with empty bottles, plates with half-eaten food, and trash strewn everywhere.
I stood in the middle of her living room, hands on my hips, trying to figure out where to even begin.
Two days. It took me two solid days of scrubbing, sweeping, and hauling garbage out of that house. By the time I was done, my back ached, and my hands were raw. But I kept reminding myself of that $250 Emery promised. That money would go a long way for us.
When Emery finally got back, I marched over to her place, ready to collect.
“Emery, it’s done. Your house is spotless,” I said, trying to keep the exhaustion out of my voice. “So, about the payment…”
She blinked at me like I was speaking another language. “Payment? What payment?”
I frowned, my heart sinking a little. “The $250 you promised for cleaning up your house. Remember?”
Emery’s expression shifted into one of confusion, then annoyance. “Prudence, I never agreed to pay you anything. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
For a moment, I just stood there, dumbfounded. “You… what? You said you’d pay me! We had an agreement.”
“No, we didn’t,” she snapped. “Look, I’m late for work, and I really don’t have time for this.” She pushed past me, heading towards her car.
“Emery, this isn’t right!” I called after her, but she was already backing out of her driveway, not giving me a second glance.
As I watched Emery’s car disappear down the street, I stood there, fuming. How could she just walk away like that?
Two days of back-breaking work, and she had the nerve to pretend like we never made a deal. I could feel my anger bubbling up, but I knew better than to act on impulse.
I went back to my house, slammed the door behind me, and paced the living room, trying to think. Connie was playing with her dolls on the floor, and Damien was still out with his friends. I didn’t want to drag my kids into this mess, but I also wasn’t about to let Emery get away with it.
“Alright, Prudence, you’ve got to be smart about this,” I muttered to myself. I looked out the window at Emery’s house and an idea started to form in my mind. It was risky, but I was beyond caring at that point. If she wanted to play dirty, I could get down in the mud too.
Twenty minutes later, I was at the local garbage dump, pulling on a pair of old gloves I kept in the car. I wasn’t proud of what I was about to do, but desperate times called for desperate measures.
I loaded up my trunk with as many garbage bags as I could fit, the stench nearly making me gag. But I gritted my teeth and kept going.
On the drive back, I kept replaying our conversation in my head, her dismissive tone, her refusal to acknowledge what she’d promised. The more I thought about it, the more justified I felt.
She didn’t even have the decency to respect the hard work I’d put into cleaning her filthy house. Well, she was about to see just how dirty things could get.
When I pulled up in front of Emery’s house, the street was quiet. No one was around to see me pop the trunk and start hauling the garbage bags to her front door. My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline coursing through me as I worked quickly.
It was then I realized something: Emery had forgotten to take her house key back from me. She was in such a hurry when she left, she didn’t even think about it.
I hesitated for a moment. But then I thought of the look on her face when she told me there was no agreement, the way she dismissed me like I was nothing. I wasn’t going to let her get away with it.
I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The house was still spotless, just as I’d left it, but that was about to change. One by one, I tore open the garbage bags, dumping the contents all over her floors, her counters, and even her bed. Rotten food, old newspapers, dirty diapers: everything mixed in a disgusting heap.
“This is what you get, Emery,” I muttered under my breath as I emptied the last bag. “You wanted to play games, well, game on.”
I closed the door behind me, making sure to lock it, and slipped the key under her welcome mat. As I walked back to my car, I felt a strange surge of satisfaction and guilt. But I shook it off. Emery had brought this on herself.
That evening, just as I was putting Connie to bed, I heard furious banging on my front door. I knew who it was before I even opened it.
“Prudence! What the hell did you do to my house?!” Emery screamed, her face red with anger.
I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorframe, playing it cool. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Emery. How could I have gotten into your house? We never had any agreement, remember? So, I never had the keys to your house.”
She stared at me, speechless for a moment, before her face twisted in rage. “You—you’re lying! I’m calling the police! You’re going to pay for this!”
I shrugged, not breaking eye contact. “Go ahead and call them. But how are you going to explain how I got in? You can’t because according to you, I never had the key.”
Emery opened her mouth to argue, but no words came out. She looked like she was about to explode, but all she could do was turn on her heel and storm off, muttering something under her breath.
I watched her go, my heart still pounding, but this time it wasn’t just from anger. There was a sense of justice, of balance restored.
I didn’t know if she’d call the police, but I wasn’t worried. Emery had learned a valuable lesson that day: don’t mess with Prudence.
As I closed the door, I let out a long breath, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. I knew I’d crossed a line, but in that moment, it felt like the only way to make things right.
Sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself, even if it means getting your hands dirty. And as for Emery? Well, I had a feeling she wouldn’t be asking me for any more favors anytime soon.
Do you think I handled things well? What would you have done differently in my place?
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