Manute Bol Dies

[Dr. Cheese]

http://www.theroot.com/buzz/manute-bol-dead-47

He became a decent player, and he really went on to serve his native land of Southern Sudan.

RIP

[Marco A. Mayer]

"At 7'7", the Sudan-born athlete and activist was one of the tallest players in NBA history. He played for 11 years for the Washington Bullets, Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State Warriors, and Miami Heat. He totaled 397 blocked shots during the 1985-1986 NBA season, a rookie record."



7'7"? Damn!



RIP.

[TheSuzie]

Yup, he worked hard for a long time. He was mostly only a curiosity when he was playing in college where I used to live. Not too many people believed he had any chance in the pros. Never heard a single negative thing about him as a person. In the NBA world that speaks huge volumes. Sad that he had such a short life.

S

[FilterFunk]

The man killed a sleeping lion with a spear. I've heard some folks say, "Well, the lion was sleeping," as if that makes it somehow unimpressive. It's still a lion, and he killed it with a spear! Not a bazooka or an elephant gun or a sniper rifle from long range, but a spear! And from all that I've heard, he was a class act. RIP, Manute.

[Bob Lee (QSC)]

That's sad that he died so relatively young. Exceptionally tall people often have disorders that shorten their lives.

I remember when he was recruited to play at the University of Bridgeport, I think it was. He was actually a newcomer to the game at that point.

He seemed pretty humble, even with the good fortune that his height gave him in a lucrative sport. RIP, Manute.

[JacoLesFlea]

RIP To me his name always stood out I did not follow his NBA career, but I knew the name and height. Did he not try hockey? His name and hockey keep coming to mind. Guess I could just look it up.

[GregC]

Everything I've heard about him paints him as a good man. It is indeed sad he died relatively young. RIP, Manute.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by JacoLesFlea

RIP To me his name always stood out I did not follow his NBA career, but I knew the name and height. Did he not try hockey? His name and hockey keep coming to mind. Guess I could just look it up.

I believe he did some sort of hockey exhibition or fundraiser a while back.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Bob Lee (QSC)

That's sad that he died so relatively young. Exceptionally tall people often have disorders that shorten their lives.

I remember when he was recruited to play at the University of Bridgeport, I think it was. He was actually a newcomer to the game at that point.

He seemed pretty humble, even with the good fortune that his height gave him in a lucrative sport. RIP, Manute.

He was not super tall for a Dinka. I spent time in Sudan as a grad student, and among the Dinka, Nuer, Shilluk, and other Nilotic people, being 6'5" to 7' is very common. I read that Manute Bol's grandfather was 7'10".

[LAG]

Drats.

RIP Manute!

[JacoLesFlea]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I believe he did some sort of hockey exhibition or fundraiser a while back.

Yep thats what it was. according to wiki:

In the fall of 2002, Bol signed a one-day contract with the Indianapolis Ice of the Central Hockey League. Even though he couldn't skate, the publicity generated by his single game appearance helped to raise money to assist children in Sudan.[16] Bol also had a brief stint as a horse jockey for similar reasons.

[Tommygunn]

Life wasn't quite as long as he was tall

Great player, one of my favorites actually.

[kesslari]

Sad to see him pass so young. RIP.

[JimB52]

His bit on a SNL fake commercial for the cruise line featuring Manute Bol always made me laugh.

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I'm surprised someone that big lasted that long to be honest.

But wow, that is huge. One of my old office mates is 6ft 8 - 9 and that made me feel tiny (6ft4). But 7ft7? Jings!

[KingOvHell]

I remember i saw him in a Minneapolis airport a few years back. Talk about sticking out like a sore thumb.