SUD/USA – Humanitarian, Sudan’s NBA center Manute Bol passes away

CHARLOTTESVILLE (NBA) – Former NBA center Manute Bol of Sudan has died at the age of 47.

The 7ft 7in Bol, who played 10 seasons with four different teams, had been hospitalized in Charlottesville, Virginia, to receive treatment for kidney trouble and a painful skin condition.

Bol broke into the league with the Washington Bullets in 1985 and went on to become one of the NBA’s best shot-blockers.

He continued to make headlines after his playing career ended with his humanitarian aid work in Africa, spending hundreds of thousands of his own money to help others.

No matter where Bol played, or visited, he touched the lives of others.

One of the clubs that Bol played for was the Philadelphia 76ers.

"On behalf of the entire Philadelphia 76ers organization, we would like to pass along our deepest and sincerest condolences to the family of Manute during this very difficult time,” president and general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement.

"Manute's impact on this city, our franchise and the game of basketball cannot be put into words. He was a person who was continually giving of himself through his generosity and humanitarian efforts in order to make the world around him a much better place, for which he will always be remembered."

Another of the teams he played for was the Golden State Warriors, and it was his former teammate Chris Mullin who came to Bol’s aid when the African suffered life-threatening injuries in a road accident six years ago.

Bol suffered three fractured vertebrae in his neck, a head wound, a crushed wrist, a broken kneecap and internal injuries when the cab he was riding in bounced off a guardrail and smashed against a rock ledge in Connecticut.

The driver of the taxi was killed.

Mullin and the Warriors held a fantasy camp to raise money for Bol, who needed help to pay his medical bills.

Ted Leonsis, who led the group that bought the Washington Wizards earlier this month, said: "Manute captured the imagination of the fans during his tenure with the Bullets and will be remembered as one of the most popular players from that era of the team’s history.

“But despite his accomplishments on the court, his lasting legacy will be the tireless work and causes he promoted in his native Sudan and the cities in which he played.

“He was a true humanitarian and an ambassador for the sport of basketball.”

Bol, who also played for Miami, averaged 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for his career.

He led the league in blocks in 1985-86 with Washington (5.0 per game) and in 1988-89 with Golden State (4.3 a game).

FIBA