Washington Wizards HC shares thoughts on the passing of Dikembe Mutombo

Legendary NBA star Dikembe Mutombo passed away on Monday, and Washington Wizards coach Brian Keefe paid tribute to the Hall of Famer during his media day on Monday.

Keefe actually began his press conference by honoring Mutombo, calling his death a great loss to the entire “basketball community,” as Monumental Sports Network's Chase Hughes said.

Mutombo played in the NBA from 1991 to 2009, spending time with six different teams. He posted career averages of 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks over 30.8 minutes per game while shooting 51.8 percent from the floor.

The Georgetown product was originally selected by the Denver Nuggets with the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft.

Mutombo spent three seasons with the Nuggets and led the league in blocks per game for three consecutive years between 1993-94 and 1995-96. He won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1994-95.

The 7-foot-2 center was then traded to the Atlanta Hawks, where he spent four and a half years, earning Defensive Player of the Year honors in back-to-back years in 1996-97 and 1997-98.

Mutombo then moved between the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the New York Knicks before spending the last five years of his career with the Houston Rockets. He reached the Finals in 2001 with the 76ers and again in 2003 with the Nets.

Mutombo was named Defensive Player of the Year four times and made eight All-Star teams.

The two-time rebounding champion was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015 and is widely considered one of the most effective defenders to ever play the game.

Mutombo was also known for his work in the community and is one of the most popular and well-known players of his time.

He was 58 years old at the time of his death.

Be sure to bookmark Washington Wizards on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, movie breakdowns and more!