Manute Bol dead at 47

[Facedown]

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — An associate of former NBA player Manute Bol (FSY) says Bol has died at a Virginia hospital, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition.
Sudan Sunrise executive director Tom Prichard says in an e-mail that the 7-foot-6 Bol died Saturday morning at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville.

The 47-year-old Bol played 10 seasons in the NBA and later founded Sudan Sunrise, a humanitarian group based in Lenexa, Kan., that promotes reconciliation in Sudan. Bol played professionally with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami.

Bol was hospitalized in mid-May during a stopover in Washington after returning to the United States from Sudan. Prichard says Sudan "and the world have lost a hero."

[WOLF]

RIP. The guy spent every penny he had trying to help the children of his homeland. A far cry from a lot of today's NBA players....


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP)—Manute Bol, a lithe 7-foot-7 shot-blocker from Sudan who spent 10 seasons in the NBA and was dedicated to humanitarian work in Africa, died Saturday. He was 47.

Bol died at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition, Tom Prichard, executive director of the group Sudan Sunrise, said in an e-mail.

“Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us,” Prichard said. “Manute, we’ll miss you. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his family, and all who mourn his loss.”

Bol played 10 seasons in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami and later worked closely as an advisory board member of Sudan Sunrise, which promotes reconciliation in Sudan. Bol averaged 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocked shots.

“Manute’s impact on this city, our franchise and the game of basketball cannot be put into words,” 76ers president and general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. “He … 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.”

Bol was hospitalized in mid-May during a stopover in Washington after returning to the United States from Sudan. Prichard said then that Bol was in Sudan to help build a school in conjunction with Sudan Sunrise but stayed longer than anticipated after the president of southern Sudan asked him to make election appearances and use his influence to counter corruption in his home county.

He said Bol had undergone three dialysis treatments and developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a condition that caused him to lose patches of skin.

Prichard said the skin around Bol’s mouth was so sore that he went 11 days without eating and could barely talk.

Prichard said it’s believed that Bol contracted the skin disease as a reaction to kidney medication he took while in Africa.

Janis Ricker, operations manager of Sudan Sunrise, said Saturday that the organization would continue its work building the school in Bol’s home village in southern Sudan. The building still lacks a second floor roof, she said.

She said Bol’s goal was to build 41 schools throughout Sudan.

“We are in the process of still helping Manute build a school, and we will continue with that,” Ricker said.

[Subhuman Yeti]

RIP Manute...

[ParaDime77]

That dude is still jackin' 3's in heaven man. RIP.

[uwec95]

RIP. The guy spent every penny he had trying to help the children of his homeland. A far cry from a lot of today's NBA players....

+1 He was a true humanitarian. He used his money and fame to try to make life better for those in his homeland. It's a shame that a former player like Bol dies while shitbags like Shawn Kemp continue to live.

[TawnyVonJagger]

Sad news. RIP, Big Man.

[Rageman]

RIP, kind sir. You helped thousands to a better life.

[WTF]

R.I.P. Manute

[Machado]

I can watch this prank on Manute over and over again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-LTyDiCu0A


Barkley almost gives away the prank early because
the buy can not stop grinning while Manute lifts up
the dishes.

[grishnak boss]

Sad news indeed.

A great fella and a good athlete -

RIP Manute Bol.

[Space Bear]

Godspeed, you skinny son of a bitch.

[prairievillesloth]

RIP. The guy spent every penny he had trying to help the children of his homeland. A far cry from a lot of today's NBA players....
.

Makes Antoine Walker look like a bigger jackass than he is for blowing $120 million.

RIP Manute.