A Look Back at Dikembe Mutombo’s Signature Sneakers and His History With Adidas

Dikembe Mutombo, the Basketball Hall of Famer known as much for his finger wagging and singular voice as his defensive prowess, passed away Monday at the age of 58 after a battle with brain cancer. The Congolese-American player nicknamed “Mt. Mutombo” was a global ambassador for the sport and prolific humanitarian who who donated millions of dollars to build a hospital in his home town, the Congolese capital of Kinshasa. At 7 feet 2 inches, Mutombo held down the paint as one of the league’s best-ever defenders and shot blockers. As an Adidas athlete, he served as a rare exception to the rule that big men can’t sell shoes with his namesake model still counting among the most eccentric signature models in the history of the sport. In a statement after his death, Adidas said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend, Dikembe Mutombo. He was respected and loved by so many for his skills on the court and the impact he left off the court. Dikembe was a trailblazing humanitarian who believed in the brotherhood of basketball, using his platform to promote cultural exchange from Africa to the world, furthering the game and human rights with equal

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