Dikembe Mutombo Retires After Injury: 'For Me, Basketball Is Over'

Dikembe Mutombo suffered a horrible fall on Tuesday night, tangling legs with Greg Oden before crumbling to the ground. He stayed down for quite some time, too, before being taken off the floor on a stretcher -- and based on his quotes following the game, Mutombo has played his last professional basketball game.

More: Impossible to Forget Dikembe

From the Oregonian (via TrueHoop):

"I'm going to need surgery. For me, basketball is over. I cried so much about it when I was laying on the floor."

The tears are certainly understandable: Mutombo has been a part of the NBA for 18 seasons, amassing enough blocks (and subsequent finger wags) to find himself as second all-time with 3,289. Eight All-Star appearances, four Defensive Player of the Year awards and a host of Internet memes don't exactly tarnish his resume either.

It's obviously a big loss for the Rockets because Deke provided excellent backup for Yao Ming, but certainly the most depressing part will be not seeing Mutombo on the floor anymore. Fortunately, as Henry Abbott pointed out on TrueHoop, Mutombo has done more than enough good off the court to remain in the public eye.

Here's to one of the most gracious, personable and humorous big men the game has ever seen.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-22-2009 @ 7:09AM

James Martin said...

A true champion, on and off the court

4-22-2009 @ 8:38AM

seoulson51 said...

Great basketball career..whats amazing is the things hes done off the court are far greater than what he did on it. And Dike did a lot on it. Hall of Fame player..hall of fame human being.

4-22-2009 @ 9:02AM

robdetaz said...

He is a stand up GENTLEMEN. He is so unselfish, that I believe he played as long as he did so that he could provide humanitary for needy people. If everybody could take a page out of Dekes book, this world would be a hell of a lot better place. I'm not even a Houston fan. Enjoy retirement Dikembe!

4-22-2009 @ 9:37AM

dvstckwll said...

You may find Dikembe's name near the top of basketball's greatest. His name is much further ahead of that when it comes to one of human being's greatest. Basketball is over but his work for his people, and all people is not.

4-22-2009 @ 9:50AM

Shawn said...

You never want to see a great player go out like that. A true basketball great. I'll always remember him on the floor with that big smile on his face after the Nuggets beat the Sonics that year!

4-22-2009 @ 10:22AM

melissa said...

I hoped he would never retire!!! How old is he 67???

4-22-2009 @ 11:53AM

cscarson1 said...

Talent, class and a good heart. We need more players like him in all sports. I hope he continues to be a presence in the front office or locker room as a mentor for young basketball players.

4-22-2009 @ 12:43PM

DAN said...

good luck

4-22-2009 @ 12:59PM

paolonutini said...

The image of Mutombo rolling around on the floor with basketball in his two hands after beating my Sonics will forever be etched in my memory.

Good luck to him..

4-22-2009 @ 1:46PM

BillyB said...

God Bless you Deke.

4-22-2009 @ 3:14PM

LADubbz45 said...

I cant believe the Rockets hired a 42 year old man to play b-ball. Now you set him up for a great career sitting at the front door of Wal-mart waving his finger when someone tries to walk out with Mach3 blades. Thanks Houston...