Standing at either 7 feet 6 inches or 7 feet 7 inches, Manute Bol remains one of the two tallest athletes in the history of the National Basketball Association. His professional career spanned from 1985 to 1995, during which he established a unique defensive legacy as the only player in league history to retire with more blocked shots than total points scored.
Early Life and Arrival in Sudan
Born in Turalei, Bol grew up within the Dinka culture, where his height was a natural trait inherited from his family. Before his basketball career, he helped raise livestock and resisted the traditional initiation rituals of his people, which involved dental extractions and facial incisions. After being discovered by a local police chief in Wau, he began playing for teams in Khartoum and participated in international matches for the Sudanese national team. To satisfy military requirements for the team, he was nominally registered as a paratrooper.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Transition to American Basketball
In 1982, coach Don Feeley facilitated Bol's travel to the United States. He spent time in Cleveland, where he attended English language courses at Case Western Reserve University. His age at the time of arrival was a subject of contention, as coaching staff at Cleveland State University lacked formal documentation and estimated he might have been significantly older than his documented 1962 birth year. Bol never played for Cleveland State, as the institution later faced probation for providing him with improper financial assistance.
Professional Career and Legacy
Following a selection by the San Diego Clippers in the 1983 NBA draft, Bol went on to play for the Washington Bullets and three other franchises. His defensive impact was profound; he currently ranks second in NBA history for blocked shots per game. Beyond his athletic achievements, Bol spent his post-playing years engaged in political activism, focusing on human rights and aid for refugees within his native country. He died in Charlottesville in 2010 and was returned to Turalei for burial.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Turalei, Sudan
- Died: 2010, Charlottesville, Virginia
- Height: 7 ft 6 in or 7 ft 7 in
- NBA Career: 1985–1995
- Notable College: University of Bridgeport
- Burial Site: Turalei, South Sudan
Questions readers ask
Was Manute Bol the tallest player in NBA history?
He is one of the two tallest players to have competed in the NBA, standing at approximately 7 feet 7 inches.
What unique statistical record does he hold?
He is the only player in the history of the NBA to finish his career with more blocked shots than total points scored.
Achievements
- Educated at Case Western Reserve University and University of Bridgeport
- Worked as basketball player and military personnel
