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Introduction

Do you want to know the Tallest Black Basketball Player? Manute Bol was really tall and played basketball in a big league called the NBA. But he wasn’t just famous for basketball. He came from Sudan and used his fame to help people in his homeland who were affected by war. He built schools and wells to give them hope and a better life.

In this story, we’ll learn about Manute Bol’s life beyond basketball. He wasn’t just a sports star; he was a kind person who cared a lot about others, especially the people in Sudan. Let’s explore how he made a big difference with his big heart.

Who is Manute Bol?

Manute Bol was a really tall basketball player from Sudan. He was 7 ‘7” feet tall and was known for blocking shots and being kind. He helped people in Sudan by building wells and schools. He showed how one person can make a big difference by using their fame for good things, like basketball and helping others.

Name Manute Bol
Manute Bol Nickname Bol
Manute Bol Height 7 ‘7” feet
Manute Bol Weight 100 kg
Date of birth November 16th, 1999
Manute Bol Age 21
Manute Bol Country USA
Manute Bol Nationality American
Religion Chiristian

How tall is Manute Bol?

Who is Manute Bol

Manute Bol was a very tall and fit basketball player. He was 7 ‘7” feet tall and weighed 200 pounds. He had big muscles, wore size 14 shoes, and had body measurements of 40-30-35 inches for his chest, waist, and hips.

Manute Bol Family

Manute Bol father, a respected elder in the Dinka tribe, taught Manute about community and resilience, which later influenced his charity work. Manute Bol mother, Okwok, played a quiet but important role in shaping him.

Manute had siblings, but there isn’t a lot of information about them. Still, their presence highlights how Dinka culture values family and how they supported Manute’s growth.
He had two wives. Atong, Manute Bol first wife, had six children with Manute, but their names aren’t widely known. Manute Bol second wife, Ajok, added four more kids to the family. Bol Bol, their son, inherited his dad’s height and basketball skills and continues his father’s legacy on the basketball court.

Manute Bol Early Life

He was really tall and kind. His name meant “special blessing” in his language. His family protected him when he was young, but he faced prejudice because of his height in some cities.

However, he found comfort in playing basketball, where he used his height to stop hate and bring hope to Sudan. He became famous and helped lots of kids have a better future. Even after he passed away, he left behind a legacy of kindness and helped bring water to his homeland.

Early Basketball Career

Manute Bol, a really tall guy from Sudan, came to America to play basketball. His coach, Don Feeley, helped him navigate through challenges, like problems with paperwork and doubts about his age in Cleveland. Despite this, Bol showed his talent in casual basketball games.

He couldn’t join the NBA right away due to some issues. So, he played for a college team called Bridgeport Purple Knights in Division II, where he improved a lot with the help of Webster and Coach Feeley. He became famous for scoring points, getting rebounds, and blocking shots.

People loved watching him play because he moved gracefully despite his height. In Bridgeport, Bol wasn’t just a player; he was someone special, and everyone knew he was destined for big things in basketball. He made his mark quietly but with a lot of hope and talent.

Manute Bol Personal Life

Manute Bol Professional basketball career

Manute Bol, a really tall and kind-hearted man from Sudan, came to America to play basketball, hoping to save his sister from the war. He joined the Washington Bullets in 1985, impressing everyone with his incredible talent for blocking shots.

During his rookie season, Bol made a record with 397 blocks, showing how great he was at defending. But beyond his amazing plays, he was still a really nice guy who fans and teammates loved.

He played for different teams like the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat. He was known for doing things on the court that surprised everyone, like shooting three-pointers. He also helped younger players like Gheorghe Mureșan and Shawn Bradley by sharing his wisdom.

Unfortunately, Bol got injured, and it affected his career. In 1995, he stopped playing in the NBA after making over 2,000 blocks, showing how good he was at defense.

But Bol’s story didn’t end with basketball. He went back to Sudan and spent his life helping people by building schools and wells. He wanted to bring peace and hope to his homeland, which was affected by war.

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Manute Bol: A Towering Legacy Beyond Basketball

Manute Bol was incredibly tall, standing at 7 feet 7 inches, making him one of the tallest NBA players ever. He was famous for his defence, blocking shots with his really long arms that spanned 8 feet 6 inches. In his first year, he blocked 397 shots, showing how great he was at defence.

But Bol wasn’t just about basketball. He was friendly and liked playing jokes on his teammates, like calling Chris Mullin “Chalk” because of his light skin. Bol faced challenges, like having a hand that wasn’t like others, but he worked hard to dribble and shoot with his non-dominant hand.

Despite being known for his height, Bol sometimes felt bad when people always asked about how tall he was. He got upset once when someone asked him about his height at an airport. It showed that even though he seemed tough, he had a sensitive side.

But Bol’s impact was bigger than basketball. He helped people in Sudan by building schools and wells in places affected by war. He showed that being big wasn’t just about size; it was also about having a kind heart.

tallest black basketball player

Manute Bol Personal Life

Manute Bol was more than a basketball player. He had ten children, six with his first wife Atong and four with his second wife Ajok. His son Madut played college basketball, but it was his son Bol Bol who became famous, playing for the Oregon Ducks and then joining the NBA with the Phoenix Suns.

When Manute came to America, he spoke different languages but quickly learned English and adapted to the culture. He was smart, liked talking with people like Charles Barkley, and enjoyed reading The New York Times. He was more than just a basketball player; he was curious and had strong beliefs in his Catholic faith.

In Egypt, he didn’t just take a break from basketball. He taught basketball to young refugees like Luol Deng, who later became an NBA star. Even after they went their separate ways, they stayed close friends.

Manute faced tough times, like a bad car accident in 2004 that hurt him badly and caused financial problems because he didn’t have insurance. But he recovered and found peace in Olathe, Kansas.

Manute Bol Net Worth

Manute Bol earned around $3.5 million from basketball, but he didn’t keep it all for himself. He used a lot of it to help Sudan, his country that was hurt by war. He built schools and helped refugees, leaving a big impact that went beyond just money. Sadly, because he gave up a lot and had medical bills from a car crash, he might not have had a lot of money left at the end. But what mattered most to him wasn’t how much money he had but the many lives he improved and the hope he brought to Sudan.

Manute Bol Death

Manute Bol Cause Of Death

Manute Bol died on June 19th, 2010, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Virginia. He was 47. He passed away because his kidneys stopped working, and he had problems from Stevens-Johnson syndrome. He is buried in South Sudan, where he was from.

People in basketball and around the world felt very sad when he died. He was really tall, did good things for people, and was known for being kind. He’ll always be remembered for his sports skills, helping others, and being a friendly giant to many.

 

Interesting Facts About Tallest Black Basketball Player

  • Taller than most doors.
  • He blocked more shots than the points he scored.
  • Drank Heinekens to gain weight.
  • Had 11 scars to track his age.
  • Once swatted 4 shots in a single possession.
  • Built schools in Sudan with his NBA millions.
  • Spoke Dinka and Arabic before learning English.
  • Nicknamed teammates like “Chalk.”

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Conclusion

Manute Bol, the tall basketball star from Sudan, was more than just a player. His big heart helped the Sudanese people by building schools and wells. His legacy goes beyond the game, inspiring kindness and hope. He showed that even one person can make a huge difference. Remembering Bol means carrying on his message: to care for others, be resilient, and make the world better for everyone.

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FAQs

What was the cause of Manute Bol's Death?

Manute Bol died from acute kidney failure and complications from Stevens-Johnson syndrome in 2010.

Where was Manute Bol from?

Manute Bol was from Turalei, Sudan.

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