Denver Nuggets to retire Dikembe Mutombo’s No. 55 at home opener
Sep 26, 2016, 12:31 PM | Updated: 12:45 pm
The rafters at the Pepsi Center will soon be graced by another name and number, as the Denver Nuggets will retire No. 55 in honor of former center Dikembe Mutombo, president and governor Josh Kroenke announced Monday
Mutombo, a first-round pick (No. 4 overall) by the Nuggets in 1991, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in September. His banner will sit among fellow Nuggets Alex English (No. 2), Byron Beck (No. 40), Dan Issel (No. 44), David Thompson (No. 33), and Doug Moe high above the Pepsi Center floor.
During his Denver tenure, Mutombo averaged 4.7 field goals, 12.9 points and 3.8 blocks per game, all high-water marks for his career. He also averaged 12.3 rebounds per game.
Mutombo played in more games (391) for the Nuggets than any other team during his 18-year career. He also spent time with the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and New Jersey nets.
He was named to eight All-Star Games and ranks second all-time in career blocks (3,289).
The Nuggets will retire Mutombo’s No. 55 with a halftime ceremony during Denver’s home opener against the Portland Trailblazers on Oct. 29, according to a release on the team’s website. Players will also wear the “rainbow skyline” throwback uniforms, which Mutombo wore during his rookie season.
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