What Happened to Manute Bol? (2024)

What Happened to Manute Bol? (1)

By Jocelyn Alano April 15, 2024 12:38

Manute Bol was a remarkably tall Sudanese-born basketball player who became known for his extraordinary height and shot-blocking ability during his career in the NBA.

Standing at 7 feet 7 inches, Bol was one of the tallest players to ever compete in the league. His captivating story includes not only his basketball career but also his humanitarian efforts and the challenges he faced in his personal life.

Early Life and Basketball Career

Manute Bol was born on October 16, 1962, in the Sudanese town of Gogrial. He was discovered by American coach Don Feeley, who was on a scouting trip in Sudan. Bol's exceptional height and shot-blocking skills caught Feeley's attention, leading to Bol's recruitment to the United States to pursue a career in basketball.

In 1985, Bol was drafted by the Washington Bullets (now known as the Washington Wizards) in the NBA. Throughout his career, he played for several teams, including the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat.

Bol's remarkable shot-blocking ability made him a valuable asset to his teams, and he gained recognition as one of the best shot-blockers in the history of the NBA.

Humanitarian Work and Activism

Beyond his basketball career, Bol was dedicated to humanitarian work. He was deeply passionate about helping his homeland, Sudan, especially during the Sudanese Civil War.

Bol donated a significant portion of his earnings to support various humanitarian causes in Sudan and was actively involved in raising awareness about the struggles faced by the Sudanese people.

In addition to his charitable efforts, Bol was an advocate for peace in Sudan and spoke out against the Sudanese government's actions.

He used his platform to draw attention to the dire situation in his home country, shedding light on the need for international aid and intervention.

Challenges and Health Issues

Despite his success and philanthropic endeavors, Bol faced significant challenges in his personal life. Financial difficulties and health issues plagued him in his later years. His enormous medical bills, resulting from numerous health problems, including a rare skin disease, put a strain on his finances.

Tragically, Manute Bol passed away on June 19, 2010, at the age of 47. His death was attributed to acute kidney failure and complications from Stevens-Johnson syndrome, the rare skin disease he had been battling.

His passing deeply affected the basketball community and all those who had been touched by his selfless humanitarian work.

Legacy and Impact

Manute Bol's legacy extends far beyond his accomplishments on the basketball court. He is remembered for his remarkable talent, unwavering humanitarianism, and dedication to advocating for the people of Sudan.

Bol's commitment to using his influence for the betterment of others serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for athletes to effect positive change beyond the realm of sports.

His story resonates with individuals who aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need, and his memory lives on through the ongoing charitable work inspired by his legacy.

His journey from the Sudanese town of Gogrial to the stages of the NBA exemplifies resilience, determination, and the profound impact one individual can have on the world.

While he may no longer be with us, his legacy continues to inspire and uplift, leaving an indelible mark on the realms of basketball, humanitarianism, and global advocacy.

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What Happened to Manute Bol? (2024)

FAQs

What happened to Manute Bol? ›

Death. On June 19, 2010, Bol died from acute kidney failure and complications from Stevens–Johnson syndrome at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is buried in South Sudan.

Did Manute Bol ever play a game sober? ›

According to reports, Bol never played a game sober during his decade the NBA. Teams allowed him to drink Heineken (all day, every day) in an effort to add some weight his rail-thin frame.

How tall was the shortest NBA player ever? ›

Muggsy Bogues is the shortest NBA player ever at 5′ 3′'. He had a successful career, even if he never won any accolades. He played 889 games (nearly the equivalent of 11 full 82-game seasons) across 14 seasons.

How old was Manute when he died? ›

Former NBA player Manute Bol died in 2010. It was reported that he was 47 at the time, but according to the coach who brought the 7-foot-7 Sudanese-born player to the United States, Bol was probably much older.

Who is currently the tallest NBA player? ›

Boban Marjanovic and Victor Wembanyama are the NBA's tallest players at 7-foot-4. The 19-year-old rookie immediately earns a share of the title during his first year in the league. He shares the distinction with an eight-year veteran in Marjanovic.

Who is the tallest NBA player ever? ›

Who is the tallest player in NBA history? Gheorghe Muresan and Manute Bol are the tallest people to ever play in the NBA at 7-foot-7. Tacko Fall, Yao Ming, Slavko Vranes and Shawn Bradley are just a smidge shorter at 7-foot-6. Chuck Nevitt, Pavel Podkolzin and Sim Bhullar are next in line at 7-foot-5.

What NBA player was caught drinking lean? ›

The Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges could be in trouble after sharing how he spends time during the offseason. Bridges posted a picture on Instagram stories where he's drinking a purple-colored beverage, which allegedly was lean.

What NBA star never played sober? ›

Former Sacramento Kings center Keon Clark was never sober during his career. A once-promising big man in the association, Clark revealed the deep and dark secrets that plagued his NBA run when speaking to ESPN in 2007. "I never played a game sober, unfortunately. It just never stopped," he admitted.

Did Manute Bol know his age? ›

To circumvent this issue and ensure Bol was considered young enough to play basketball, Mackey decided to assign him a fictitious birthdate of October 16, 1962. “I gave him his birthday because they didn't know how old he was. [Bol] had no idea of his age and the kid who came over with him didn't know how old he was.

Who is taller than 7 feet in the NBA? ›

However, only three are active as of the 2023–24 season: Boban Marjanović of the Houston Rockets, Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs and Bol Bol of the Phoenix Suns. The tallest player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is 7-foot-6-inch (2.29 m) Yao Ming.

Is 6ft too short for the NBA? ›

Surprisingly, there is no official height requirement to play professionally. While having a little extra length helps, the NBA goes more for talent and ability to play. There are plenty of people who are less than six feet tall who can score relatively easily.

Who is under 6 feet in the NBA? ›

Muggsy Bogues, Spud Webb and Earl Boykins are names that are commonly thrown around. Isaiah Thomas nearly averaged 30 points per game standing in at 5-9. It takes a special skillset and talent to be an NBA player that is shorter than 6 feet tall.

How heavy was Manute Bol? ›

How much money did Manute Bol make? ›

Manute Bol was an NBA player who played for several teams during his career. According to Basketball Statistics & History of Every Team & NBA and WNBA Players | Basketball-Reference.com , he made a total of $3,599,000 during his NBA career.

Who is the oldest player in the NBA? ›

The oldest active player is LeBron James, who is currently 39 years, 142 days old. The youngest active player in the NBA is Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson, the 45th overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, who was born on December 17, 2004.

Why did Manute Bol retire? ›

In his career, Bol blocked 2,086 shots and is the only player in NBA history to have more blocked shots than points scored. He retired from the NBA in 1995 after suffering a knee injury.

How did Manute Bol get Steven Johnson syndrome? ›

According to the Associated Press, Bol died last week at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and Stevens Johnson Syndrome. It is believed Bol contracted the skin disease as a reaction to kidney medication he took while in Africa. He was only 47.

Does Manute Bol have a son in the NBA? ›

Bol Manute Bol was born in 1999 in Khartoum, Sudan. His mother is Ajoke Deng and his father is the late Manute Bol. Manute played 10 seasons in the NBA for the Bullets, Warriors, 76ers and the Heat. His father was also known for his humanitarian efforts in his native Sudan.

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