Manute Bol was a great icon in the history of NBA that was not only an outstanding basketball player, but also a person of monumental stature on the field. Bol was 7 feet 7 inches tall and was among the tallest players to play in the NBA. Although being tall alone made him an imposing figure, his agility, ability to block shots and his unusual career route made him leave a legacy in the basketball world. This paper will have a closer look at the age of Manute Bol, his career and his impact on the sport that has been with us.
Early Life and Background of Manute Bol
Manute Bol was born on the 16th of October, 1962, in the village of Turali that is based in South Sudan. He was born in an area where basketball was not given much consideration but he was very tall and had the ability to move well. The family of Manute was not that good, and he did not enjoy the privileges of big cities, but his size was noticed rather early.
Manute was a young boy and soon became famous because of his incredible height of his body, which further increased when he reached his teens. At 15, he had already grown to 6 ft 9 in. Being a tall person, he was a perfect match to basketball and as he matured, he developed interest in the game. Nevertheless, Manute Bol was not aware of the popularity of the game all over the world at the beginning because of his size.
His path to the NBA was of an unusual kind. It was only later in life that he realized the importance of basketball in the outside world, other than his home country. He was impressive by height, and the attention of the different basketball scouts came to him, which led him to the United States. Manute started playing college basketball in the U.S with the assistance of a coach who identified his talent and his basketball career kicked off.
Manute Bol’s NBA Career
Manute Bol joined the NBA in 1985 when he was taken by the Washington Bullets (today known as Washington Wizards) as the 31st overall selection in the 2nd round of the draft. Upon joining NBA, he was 23 years old. His shot-blocking skill wasconsidered to have characterized his career in the league, as he was one of the best shot blockers in NBA history. The height of Manute Bol is a given attribute and the fact that he could block the rim, mess with shots and the direction of the games with his defensive skills is what made him stand out among the rest of the players.
During his career, Manute has worked in different NBA teams, Washington, Bullets, Golden State, Warriors, Philadelphia, 76ers, and Miami Heat. Although he did not have a scoring reputation, he contributed hugely on the defensive side whereby he recorded a commendable number of 3.3 blocks per game in his lifetime. His most productive year was in 1985-1986 when he blocked 5.0 shots per game with the Washington Bullets.
Although Manute Bol played in the era of offensive superstars, he one way or another left his mark as one of the most dominating defenders in the league. Manute Bol Age enabled him to join NBA at the right time when the NBA was still in need of an elite shot blocker to bring a difference to the games. During his career, Manute served ten years in NBA and had the title of being one of the best defenders in the league.
Manute Bol’s Height and How It Shaped His Career
Manute Bol was a giant among giants in NBA since he was 7 feet 7 inches tall. He was a very fearsome presence in the court by virtue of his size alone. He was commonly called as one of the tallest to have ever played in the league and his height gave him the privilege to block the shot which no other player could even dream of achieving.
Nevertheless, his size was not the only thing that distinguished him. Manute was very well coordinated among a tall person. He could move fast and efficiently within the paint due to his agility, and he could block shots as well as any other player. The presence of Bol was too imposing to a point that the opponents would tend to avoid paint whenever he was on the field. His age enabled him to master his defensive capabilities and his career showed that even players who do not fit the typical profile of an offensive scorer can achieve an unerasable impact in the game.
He also had the height that made him experience several memorable moments in his career. Manute Bol was a favorite of fans whether it was his incredible blocks or the way he was able to close down the opposing player at the right time and the right place, his height and his defense skills made him a favorite. His age coupled with his physical peculiarities enabled him to be a great shot-blocker in the NBA.
Manute Bol’s Post-NBA Life
Since that time in the NBA Manute Bol has made a few twists in his life. He left professional basketball in the early 1990s but still remained active in the basketball world in charity work, coaching and basketball camps. In his life after NBA, Bol was able to emerge as a philanthropist especially in helping his home country of South Sudan.
Manute took advantage of his place and created awareness on the civil war in Sudan and spent most of his later years trying to help the people of South Sudan. He was busy constructing schools and offering medical assistance to the victims of the war in his native country. His contributions to the South Sudan made Bol a hero to many people and proved that his tradition was not just on the basketball field.
In his later life, Manute Bol was going through money troubles though he tried to help people. He was a very generous philanthropist and would use his income earned through basketball to help people in Sudan but this was generosity that eventually caused him trouble. On June 19, 2010 at the age of 47 he died after a kidney disease that had complicated his health. His loss was a colossal blow to the world and the basketball fraternity as he was not just a great player, but also a man who tirelessly strived to ensure that the world was a better place to live.
Manute Bol’s Legacy
Manute Bol’s legacy is defined by more than just his incredible height and shot-blocking ability. His contribution to basketball game is unquantifiable, as he was among the first players who demonstrated the fact that defense was as important as offense could be. The fact that he played a significant role in the world of basketball, and he played brilliantly, meant that his name would be remembered by generations to come.
Besides his basketball legacy, Manute Bol has earned the respect of people through his humanitarian activities. Through his work in South Sudan, raising awareness on the problems of his people, and charitable giving, he is an inspiration to people and organizations to come out and take a positive change in the world.
Even though Manute Bol is no longer among us, his legacy still exists in the sphere of basketball and in the hearts of the people who have known him. His stature in the court and even when he is not in the court makes him unforgettable.
Conclusion
The fact that Manute Bol died at the age of 47 does not make him any less of what he was, it is in fact his contribution to the sport of basketball and his humanitarianism that really defined him. Manute Bol was an impactful person in his life, both as a legend actor in the NBA in shot-blocking and as the one who draws awareness to the plight of his motherland. His immense stature and his special talent set would have made him one of the most memorable players ever to have played the game and his attempts to change the world to be a better place would be remembered forever.
FAQs
How old was Manute Bol when he passed away?
Manute Bol was 47 years old when he passed away on June 19, 2010.
What made Manute Bol famous?
Manute Bol was famous for being one of the tallest players in NBA history and for his incredible shot-blocking ability.
What was Manute Bol’s height?
Manute Bol stood at 7 feet 7 inches, making him one of the tallest players to ever play in the NBA.
What did Manute Bol do after retiring from basketball?
After retiring from basketball, Manute Bol became a humanitarian, working to raise awareness and provide aid to his home country of South Sudan.
What is Manute Bol’s legacy?
Manute Bol’s legacy is defined by his impact on the game of basketball as a top shot-blocker and his humanitarian efforts to support South Sudan.
