NBA Legend Dikembe Mutombo Passes Away at 58

The New York Knicks have had a number of great players play for them for a short period of time, and one of those players was Dikembe Mutombo back in the 2003-04 season.

He is considered by many to be one of the best interior defenders in the history of the NBA, and one of the best centers ever. Sadly, the NBA announced that he passed away at the age of 58 on Monday from brain cancer.

"Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life," Silver said in a statement released following the legend's passing. "On the court, he was one of the greatest shot blockers and defensive players in the history of the NBA. Off the floor, he poured his heart and soul into helping others."

Mutombo has a great story, as he moved from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the United States at age 21 to attend Georgetown. The basketball head coach at the university, John Thompson, convinced Mutombo to join the team, and the rest is history.

He was then drafted with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, and played an impressive 18 seasons in the league. He averaged just under 10 points and 10 rebounds per game over those 18 years, but it was his 2.8 career blocks per game that jumps off the page.

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He is second on the all-time blocks list, only behind Hakeem Olajuwon, and was given his nickname, "Mt. Mutombo," due to his massive presence in the paint.

He had an impact on everyone that he came in contact with, and will always be known as one of the greatest centers in the history of the NBA.