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Colorado names Oct. 29 Dikembe Mutombo Day

Howard Smith / US PRESSWIRE

The Denver Nuggets will raise Dikembe Mutombo's No. 55 to the Pepsi Center rafters before their home opener on Saturday night, but it won't just be Nuggets fans (or even just Denver residents) celebrating the career of the NBA's second all-time leading shot-blocker.

All of Colorado will recognize Mount Mutombo, each Oct. 29 from now on.

Mutombo, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last year, spent the first five seasons of his career with the Nuggets after they drafted him fourth overall in 1991. He played more games (391) with Denver than with any other team, averaging 12.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 3.8 blocks; made three All-Star games; won a Defensive Player of the Year award; and helped author one of the greatest upsets in NBA history.

The Nuggets won't be the first team to retire his jersey - the Atlanta Hawks did it last season - but Colorado will be the first state to name a day after him.

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