He learned how to kill a sleeping lion with a spear before it could harm his herd in his youth

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.answers.com/topic/manute-bol

Life's Work

Manute Bol is the tallest player in the history of the National Basketball Association. He is also the only player in the NBA to have killed a lion with a spear and to have paid 80 cows for his wife. Bol, a native of the Sudan and member of the Dinka tribe, left his troubled homeland to play basketball in the United States. At just under 7' 7", he towers over almost everyone, drawing stares wherever he goes. The stately Bol has learned to handle the attention, though--just as he learned to speak English and block his opponents' shots on the basketball court.

Young Manute enjoyed a number of privileges as the descendent of a chief, but he also rebelled against some of the Dinka customs, especially the manhood rites that all teenage boys must undergo. Several times he ran away rather than face the ritual scarring of his face and--worse--the removal of six of his teeth. His education was entirely practical, concerning only the care and sale of cows; Bol never learned to read or write his native tongue. But he did learn every aspect of animal husbandry necessary to insure the health of his cows, including how to kill a sleeping lion with a spear before it could harm his herd.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7019044195


Former NBA Shot-Blocking Star Bol Dead At 47; Had Rare Skin Disease

June 19, 2010 5:27 p.m. EST

Matt Aug - AHN Sports Editor

University Of Virginia Medical Center, Charlottesville, VA, United States (AHN) - Former NBA shot-blocking standout Manute Bol, who stood nearly 7-feet-7 inches, died Saturday at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.

He was 47, and reportedly passed due to a rare skin disease from Africa, where he spent much of his time after basketball doing charitable works. snip

The Tularei, Sudan native is probably the only NBA player to ever kill a lion, which he says he did in his youth.

[chillspike]

1. RIP

[On the Road]

2. Oh, That is Too Bad

He was such a nice person. It's not surprising that he returned to Sudan to do charitable work. East Africans I have talked with tend to compare themselves favorably with West and Central Africans, saying their cultural is more spiritual and family oriented.

I watched Bol with the old Washington Bullets -- he never developed offensively, but he was a shot-blocking terror. I remember guards cutting through the lane, seeing Manute posted there, and just freezing and retreating rather than get a shot rejected. He played on the same team as Muggsy Bogues, who at 5'3" was the NBA's shortest player. They made a very odd couple.

[Uzybone]

3. A great guy, may he RIP

[yodermon]

4. pic of Manute & Muggsey

RIP Manute.

[NNN0LHI]

5. Think about sneaking up on a sleeping lion with a spear

Geebuz Keyriste!

:scared:

Don