Longtime Denver Nuggets center Dikembe Mutombo will have his No. 55 jersey retired by the team in their season home opener on Oct. 29 against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 50-year-old Mutombo played his first five seasons in Denver after being the fourth overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft, making three of his first eight All-Star appearances with the Nuggets.

The team will also wear throwback jerseys in his honor.

The Nuggets had previously retired the numbers of forwards Alex English (No. 2), David Thompson (No. 33) and centers Byron Beck (No. 40) and Dan Issel (No. 44).

The 7-footer played for 18 years and averaged 9.8 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game, but his legend carries far beyond than the numbers.

Dikembe Mutombo was a philanthropist, giving back to his native Republic of Congo and other African nations during and after his playing career. He was known for being a merciless shot-blocker and tenacious rebounder on the court as well as a gentle giant and appreciative human being off the court.

Let the finger wag forever live on the Pepsi Center's rafters.