The NBA lost a mountain of a man.

Former Nuggets center and Hall of Fame inductee Dikembe Mutombo died from brain cancer Monday at 58.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone was one of Don Chaney’s assistants during Mutombo’s time with the Knicks.

“He was great. He had just gotten bought out by the New Jersey Nets,” Malone said Monday. “I loved his personality. I loved his heart.”

The Nuggets drafted “Mt. Mutombo” with the fourth pick of the 1991 draft out of Georgetown. He went on to spend the first five seasons of his 18-year career in Denver before stints with the Hawks, 76ers, Nets, Knicks and Rockets. He was an eight-time All-Star, four-time Defensive Player of the Year and earned All-NBA honors three times.

“Dikembe Mutombo was simply larger than life. 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,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

“There was nobody more qualified than Dikembe to serve as the NBA’s first global ambassador. He was a humanitarian at his core. He loved what the game of basketball could do to make a positive impact on communities, especially in his native Democratic Republic of the Congo and across the continent of Africa. I had the privilege of traveling the world with Dikembe and seeing first-hand how his generosity and compassion uplifted people. He was always accessible at NBA events over the years — with his infectious smile, deep booming voice and signature finger wag that endeared him to basketball fans of every generation.

“Dikembe’s indomitable spirit continues on in those who he helped and inspired throughout his extraordinary life. I am one of the many people who’s lives were touched by Dikembe’s big heart, and I will miss him dearly. On behalf of the entire NBA family, I send my deepest condolences to Dikembe’s wife, Rose, and their children, his many friends and the global basketball community, which he truly loved and which loved him back.”

In 1994, Mutombo led the 8-seed Nuggets to an upset of the top-seeded Sonics despite dropping the first two games of the series by blocking 31 shots across the five games. After completing Denver’s comeback with a clinching rebound, Mutombo fell to the ground with his back on the hardwood, while holding the ball above his beaming smile. It’s one of three photos in Malone’s office at Ball Arena.

“Dikembe is laying on the floor with the ball in his hands with that beautiful smile,” Malone said of the iconic image. “We lost a legend. We lost a former Denver Nugget. My thoughts and prayers are obviously with all of Dikembe’s family and friends.”

His humanitarian work was wide-ranging. He founded the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, which focused on improving living conditions in his homeland, in 1997. He was also involved in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders program and served on the Special Olympics international board of directors. He won the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizen Award, given to the player or coach who demonstrates outstanding service and dedication to the community, in 2001 and 2009.

“Dikembe is one of the most unique and beloved players to ever step foot on a basketball court. The work and efforts he put in off the court to give back to his home country, Africa and the NBA cities that loved him was just as extraordinary,” the Nuggets said in a statement.

“Words cannot express how much the Nuggets and NBA community will miss Dikembe, but his memory and impact will certainly never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with all of his family and loved ones during this difficult time.”