Nuggets retiring Dikembe Mutombo's jersey

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DENVER — President and governor Josh Kroenke announced at Nuggets media day that the franchise will raise another jersey to Pepsi Center’s rafters.

The team will retire Dikembe Mutombo‘s No. 55 at halftime during Denver’s home opener against Portland on Oct 29.

Mutombo’s jersey will hang alongside other Nuggets greats Alex English, David Thompson, Byron Beck, Dan Issel and Doug Moe.

Kroenke’s full statement on Mutombo is below:

“Other than the Avalanche and Broncos championships and possibly the Rockies reaching the World Series, the photo of this former Nuggets clinching a basketball after a playoff victory over the Seattle Supersonics is one of the most recognized images in Denver sports. He was a perennial All-Star on the court and despite his numerous on court accomplishments he is somehow managed to make  an even bigger impact off the court. Through his charitable foundation and his role as a global ambassador the the NBA Dikembe Mutombo has impacted many many people. He has helped bring awareness to the issues impacting his home continent of Africa and through his hospital he is already changing and saving lives. It is my privilege to announce that we will retire the number 55 jersey of 2015 Hall-of-Fame inductee Dikembe Mutombo during halftime of our opening night game against Portland on Oct. 29. We will also be wearing our iconic rainbow skyline jerseys to commemorate the event.”

The Nuggets will honor Mutombo by wearing their retro “Rainbow Skyline” jerseys during their home opener, the same jersey Mutombo wore during his rookie season in Denver.