Manute Bol dies at 47: Bol a Golden State Warrior who will be missed

Manute Bol, the tallest player in Golden State Warriors in history, died today at 47 and of complications from "Stevens–Johnson syndrome" at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Bol as a player was a sight to see: a literal cross between a stilt and a praying mantis. Bol, who towered at 7 feet, 7 inches, was one of the tallest NBA Basketball player in history and for a long time known as just a shot blocker, and is one of a just a few players with 12 or more blocks in one game.

In this video below called "Manute Bol: Welcome to the Block Party," Bol blocked four straight shots in the opening segment. Moreover, he did it so effortlessly, blocking shots seemed like child's play.



Bol is the only player in NBA history to have blocked more shots (2,086) than points he scored (1,599). Manute averaged 3.3 blocked shots per game, and under Don Nelson in his second stint with the Warriors in 1994, became a defensive terror.

Manute the Shooter

Manute Bol

But Manute was also a great three-point shooter (and you can see him making one with the Warriors as his teammate Chris Mullin looks on). Manute was the giant master of the "three": the person you least expected to try a shot from downtown and the one you least expected to make one from downtown. In his first stint with the Warriors from 1988 to 1990, Bol shot them with regularity, attempting a career-high 91 "threes" and making 20 of them.

Bol, listed in many headlines as a former Philadelphia 76ers player, will always be remembered as an Oakland, er Golden State Warrior, in this space.

Manute was the player you wished and cheered for because for all of his physical gift of height (Manute means "special blessing") and story that he fought a lion in Sudan, he seemed to be a very kind man.

Manute Bol lived almost exactly the same number of years as I have; he's gone and taken from us far too early. He died of Stevens–Johnson syndrome, a life-threatening condition where your skin and mucous membranes over react to a medication or infection, according to The Mayo Clinic.

Manute Bol was one of the great ones; he will be missed by many.